Giants' Tony Vitello Reacts to Rafael Devers Not Wanting to Exit for Pinch Runner in Trending Video

Rafael Devers was clearly upset when a pinch runner was brought on for him in the top of the ninth on Sunday, and San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello has no problem with that kind of competitiveness.

Vitello said the Giants needed to make a move that put them in a better position to score, but he has no problem with Devers wanting to stay in the game.

"A part of it, too, you know how competitive he is," Vitello said. "He wants to stay in the game... We talk every day. I'm good. I'd rather have guys like Webby that you've gotta rip 'em off the field as opposed to vice versa."

The move from Vitello made sense, as the Giants were down a run and a player like the speedy Jonah Cox could get into scoring position and perhaps force extra innings on a base hit.

Things didn't quite work out, though, as Jung Hoo Lee flied out and Willy Adames hit into a game-ending double play in back-to-back at-bats.

"Obviously, would like Jonah to get a bag. He's relatively quick to the plate," Vitello said. "But on a double, going on our best chance to win the game.

"In a perfect world, you'd like to see Cox get a bag at second, if he can. At the very least, if you go down, you go down swinging with your fastest guy."

The Giants dropped to 31-46 with the loss, and they currently sit in fourth place in the NL West as the rookie manager Vitello continues to struggle in his first MLB campaign.

Devers' behavior is closely monitored by MLB fans, given the way things ended with the Boston Red Sox last season. There have been no reports of tension between him and the Giants this year, but he clearly disagreed with Vitello's decision on Sunday.

Given the Giants' struggles this season, all signs point to them being sellers at the trade deadline, and the team reportedly is open to trading Devers, among others.

Whether he'll be on the move for a second consecutive season remains to be seen.