“Gift-Wrapped Homer”: How A Bizarre Defensive Blunder Turned Tyler Fitzgerald Into The Giants’ Unexpected Hero
By [joyce] | San Francisco, CA – July 2025
When the San Francisco Giants squared off against the Oakland Athletics in a midseason Bay Bridge Series clash, fans expected fireworks. Few imagined the biggest blast of the night would come courtesy of a defensive meltdown.
Yet that’s precisely what happened in the Giants’ 6-2 victory on Thursday night, when utility man Tyler Fitzgerald found himself the unexpected star of a viral moment—launching a “home run” that, for all intents and purposes, was gift-wrapped by A’s outfielder Tyler Soderstrom.
The Play That Left Fans Laughing
It was the bottom of the fifth inning. The Giants were clinging to a narrow lead when Fitzgerald stepped into the box. On the mound, A’s reliever Luis Medina delivered a fastball over the heart of the plate. Fitzgerald connected cleanly, sending a high fly ball arcing toward left-center field.
Normally, it should have been a routine out. Soderstrom tracked it well initially, drifting back under the ball as the Oracle Park crowd held its collective breath. But then… disaster struck.
Tyler Soderstrom misjudged the trajectory, taking an awkward last-second step forward as the ball kept sailing. Instead of settling into his glove, the baseball glanced off the heel of his mitt and tumbled onto the warning track, bouncing just out of reach. By the time Soderstrom recovered, Fitzgerald was already tearing around the bases.
“He’s not a speed demon,” Giants broadcaster Duane Kuiper chuckled on the air, “but he looked like Usain Bolt right there.”
Fitzgerald crossed the plate standing up, arms outstretched, a grin plastered across his face. Officially, it went into the books as an inside-the-park home run. Unofficially, it was a blooper that left fans from both teams either roaring with laughter—or burying their faces in their hands.
A Rare Type Of Homer
Inside-the-park home runs are some of the rarest and most exciting plays in baseball, typically reserved for speedsters or oddball caroms off stadium walls. But Fitzgerald’s dash around the bases wasn’t pure hustle—it was mostly possible because of a catastrophic defensive lapse.
“Sometimes, the baseball gods smile on you,” Fitzgerald told reporters postgame, still grinning. “Honestly, I thought he had it. I was about to jog back to the dugout. Next thing I know, the ball’s bouncing away and the coaches are waving me home.”
Statisticians classified the play as a home run because, despite the error-like nature of the mishap, the ball never touched the ground first in fair territory and Soderstrom never gained clear possession. Scorers ultimately ruled it a hit—a break for Fitzgerald, whose batting average got an instant boost.
Soderstrom’s Painful Night
For Tyler Soderstrom, it was a nightmare moment on a big stage. The A’s rookie has shown flashes of potential both at the plate and in the field this season. But defensive consistency has remained a question mark—and Friday night’s miscue will be replayed on blooper reels for years to come.
“It’s a play I’ve made hundreds of times,” Soderstrom admitted afterward. “But I lost it a little bit in the lights. I should’ve caught it, no excuses.”
His manager, Mark Kotsay, tried to protect the young outfielder from excessive criticism.
“Baseball is a tough game,” Kotsay said. “Nobody feels worse than Tyler right now. He’ll learn from it.”
The Viral Aftermath
Almost immediately, video clips of the play began circulating on social media. The combination of Fitzgerald’s wide-eyed sprint and Soderstrom’s baffled expression made for perfect meme material.
By midnight, hashtags like #GiftWrappedHomer and #SoderstromSlip were trending among Giants fans on Twitter, with thousands of posts ranging from sympathetic encouragement to ruthless jokes.
One viral tweet read: “Giants fans need to send Soderstrom a thank-you card for that 2-run gift. He’s basically on our payroll now.”
Even rival fans couldn’t resist chiming in. A Dodgers fan posted, “If only Soderstrom could play left field for the Giants every time we face them.”
A Spark For Fitzgerald
Though the Giants ultimately won 6-2, the true story was Fitzgerald’s unexpected heroics. A player known more for his versatility and grit than his power, Fitzgerald now has a highlight he’ll remember forever.
“It’s one of those plays I’ll probably be telling my kids about someday,” Fitzgerald said. “You know, how Dad hit a ‘home run’ because the other guy dropped the ball.”
In the bigger picture, the Giants need every spark they can get. Sitting in the thick of the National League playoff hunt, they’re relying on depth players like Fitzgerald to deliver clutch moments. Even if it takes a little help from the opposing defense.
The Giants’ Takeaway
Manager Bob Melvin was diplomatic but honest about the bizarre nature of the hit.
“Sometimes the game gives you one,” Melvin said. “It’s still a win on the scoreboard.”
It remains to be seen if the Giants can keep the momentum rolling. But one thing’s for certain: Tyler Fitzgerald—and Tyler Soderstrom—have become forever linked in Giants lore.
For Fitzgerald, the night was an unexpected highlight in a season of ups and downs. For Soderstrom, it’s a painful lesson that even the simplest fly ball can go horribly wrong under the bright lights of Major League Baseball.