San Francisco Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford (right) gets the relay to second baseman Donavan Solano (left) for the force out the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Sports Radio Service
Sunday, August 30, 2020

San Francisco claimed the rubber match of its three-game weekend series in Phoenix Sunday, defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-1 earning its first road series win of the season. It was also the Giants’ ninth win in their last 12 games.

The Giants got a quality start from Johnny Cueto, who surrendered one run on three hits in 6 2/3 innings. Alex Dickerson hit a solo home run in the first inning and delivered an RBI single in the eighth inning off D-Backs reliever Archie Bradley after Arizona’s Stefan Crichton (2-2) allowed a pair of baserunners.

Evan Longoria, who has swung a hot bat all weekend, added a two-run base hit. Tyler Rogers (2-3) worked a perfect bottom of the eighth to earn the win.

Sam Coonrod turned in a 1-2-3 ninth to earn his first career save.

Offensive struggles continue to plague the Diamondbacks. Eduardo Escobar hit a solo home run that tied the game at 1-1 in the seventh, and starter Taylor Clarke allowed one hit in five innings, but Arizona mustered only three hits and has lost 10 of its last 11 games.

Checking the injured list, The Giants said that an MRI on Trevor Cahill’s left hip disclosed joint inflammation. Cahill will start anti-inflammatory medicine and be evaluated later this week. Meanwhile, left-hander Drew Smyly (finger), right-hander Jeff Samardzija (shoulder) and outfielder Austin Slater (groin) will reportedly check in at the Giants’ alternate training site to start rehab.

Former Giants ace Madison Bumgarner, who has been on the shelf since Aug. 9 with back spasms, threw a simulated game on Saturday.

The Giants have Monday off, then start a series in Denver against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday.