Randy doesn't catch ball, but fan catches Randy

SAN FRANCISCO -- Randy Arozarena doesn't do anything halfway. He's willing to put his body on the line to chase down any ball hit in his general direction, just as he showed in the fifth inning of Tuesday's 7-0 loss to the Giants at Oracle Park.

When Giants right fielder Michael Conforto skied a foul ball down the left-field line, Arozarena charged to track it down and could not hold up his momentum when he reached the wall, making a backhanded thrust with his glove as he tumbled into the stands. Though Arozarena came up empty-handed, his teammates couldn't help but admire his effort.

"It was a tough play, but I thought he might have had it," center fielder Jose Siri said in Spanish through interpreter Manny Navarro. "He decided on making the play right away, and that's what I like about how he plays. He decides it, and he makes the play."

By some twist of fate, when Arozarena toppled over the fence, he landed right in front of a fan who was wearing a Team Mexico World Baseball Classic cap and proudly displaying a Mexican flag.

Arozarena was the breakout star for Team Mexico as they made a thrilling run in the 2023 World Baseball Classic that ended with a walk-off loss to Japan in the semifinal.

After coming inches short of another electric moment on Tuesday night, Arozarena bounced right back up -- assisted by the fans sitting nearby -- and flashed a thumbs up to the visitors' dugout.

"I'm glad he didn't get hurt," manager Kevin Cash said. "That was a little scary. I think the net over there probably saved him a little bit."

One batter later, Arozarena ranged over in the same direction to retire Giants rookie catcher Patrick Bailey on a flyout that was decidedly more routine. Arozarena paused to grin at the fans who had helped him up before throwing the ball back in.