San Francisco Giants’ Brandon Belt dedicates two-homer sport, season to late grandmother

NEW YORK – Hours after learning his grandmother had died, Brandon Belt texted his wife and parents on Tuesday admitting he was struggling and unsure if he could play.

His father reminded him that his grandmother, Margaret Peterson, wanted to see him out there.

“I think that kind of got me locked in,” Belt said.

Belt swung a heavy bat with a heavy heart, hitting two of San Francisco’s four home runs before devoting them and the rest of his season to the memory of his grandmother after the Giants’ 8-0 win over the New York Mets.

“I was stunned all day,” he said. “I was just glad I could get out of here and do this for her.”

The 33-year-old Belt finished a 2-on-30 skid with a drive that landed on Citi Field’s center field apple in the first inning, homered again in the fourth and also had two singles. The second homer was his best 19th of the season.

“I couldn’t help but have the feeling that there was something powerful at play when he hit his first home run,” said Giants manager Gabe Kapler.

Peterson died of COVID-19 Tuesday morning, Belt said. Growing up in Texas with his mother’s mother, he said that she and his grandfather provided financial aid while Belt pursued a baseball career in high school by traveling to show tournaments.

“She was always proud to brag about me to her friends,” said Belt.

Kapler said he expected Belt to leave the team for the memorial service in the next few days and that he would have the club’s full support.

“He just looked locked up,” said Kapler. “And I think that’s amazing considering what he went through today.”

The major league leaders have won 20 of 27 games while trying to stop the Dodgers in NL West. San Francisco took a 2 1/2 game lead on Tuesday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.