ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Lately, things have not been easy for the San Francisco Giants as they are losers of five straight games heading into Sunday’s series finale against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Much of the reason for the Giants’ struggles stems from their inability to muster offensive production. After Saturday’s 5-1 loss to the Rays, the Giants head into Sunday with a 13-20 record and are last in Major League Baseball in runs scored, home runs, walks, and steals, per Kylen Mills of NBC Sports.

To reach the lows that the Giants have suffered requires players underperforming across the board. But, on an individual scale, first baseman Rafael Devers is having his worst year as a pro with the bat in his hands.

Heading into Saturday’s game, Devers had a slash line of .210/.250/.290 with a .540 OPS through 32 previous appearances, the lowest marks of his 10-year career.

Devers was, however, able to break through with an RBI double in the top of the sixth inning to give the Giants their lone run of the evening. After softly grounding out in the top of the eighth, Devers expressed his frustration by slamming his helmet on the ground and yelling.

Devers’ down year has hurt himself and his team, but manager Tony Vitello highlighted the lightheartedness and level-headed nature he otherwise brings to the game.

"Yeah, he's level-headed," Vitello said. "I think half the conversations, for some reason it took some reporters by surprise when I was first asked about him. Fifty percent of those conversations are comedy.

"He's a grown man, strength-wise and experience-wise, but he loves being at the park every day and he's funny," Vitello added. "When he likes to have fun, it's kind of infectious and affects others."

Vitello also emphasized the strength of Devers’ baseball IQ.

"The other fifty percent, I've said it too before, I've been around a lot of players, I think I've got a decent judge," Vitello said. "He's as cerebral — I kind of mentioned [Luis] Arraez is kind of in a freak category, if you ask me — but he's about as cerebral as anybody that's in that locker room."

Devers has been shrouded in offensive struggles, but Vitello was blunt in his message about the 29-year-old returning to the form that made him a three-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger Award winner.

"And then the other thing, I don't care if he hears it or not, I'll tell you with my soul, it's coming," Vitello said. "Again, I ain't the smartest fella, but I've seen plenty of baseball, and you see some of the swings, and even the foul balls look dangerous. So, it's coming."

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