San Francisco Giants pitcher Carlos Rodon (16) heads to the dugout in the bottom of the third inning after giving up a three run homer to Arizona Diamondbacks Christian Walker at Chase Field in Phoenix (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum

Tuesday, July 26, 2022

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Arizona used early home run power from Christian Walker and Sergio Alcantara to win its fourth game of the current homestand, defeating San Francisco 7-3 Tuesday.

It was the Diamondbacks’ fourth win in their last six games, and for San Francisco, it was its sixth straight loss coming out of the All-Star break. The win also pulled Arizona to within 6 ½ games of an NL Wild Card berth. The Giants, who dipped below .500, are 2 ½ games behind in the NL Wild Card race.

Arizona took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second on Alcantara’s third home run of the season, a two-run shot that also drove in Jake McCarthy, who reached on a fielder’s choice.

The Giants also used the long ball to tie the game at 2-2 in the top of third on Wilmer Flores’ 14th homer of the season. Luis Gonzalez singled to lead off the inning and scored on Flores’ blast.

The Diamondbacks expanded their lead to 5-2 in the third inning on Walker’s home run to left, driving in Geraldo Perdoma, who walked, and Carson Kelly, who was hit by a pitch. It was Walker’s 23rd home run of the year.

San Francisco got a run back in the top of the sixth when Thairo Estrada was hit by a pitch and scored on Brandon Belt’s double to deep center. Arizona added two runs in the eighth on an RBI triple by David Peralta and a run-scoring double by Ketel Marte. Both runs were scored off Giants reliever Yunior Marte.

Giants starter Carlos Rodon (8-6) surrendered five earned runs on three hits and two walks, despite striking out 10. Belt and Gonzalez each went 2-for-4.

Tyler Gilbert worked the first four innings for the Snakes, but didn’t go long enough to figure in the decision. Luke Weaver threw a scoreless fifth, Kyle Nelson, Ian Kennedy (4-4) and All-Star Joe Mantifly each were credited with a hold, and former San Francisco closer Mark Melancon retired the Giants in order in the ninth in a non-save situation.

The two clubs wrap up the three-game set with a matinee contest on

Wednesday. The Giants will start Logan Webb (9-3, 2.77) against Arizona’s Zac Gallen (5-2, 3.31) in a battle of righthanders. First pitch is scheduled for 12:40 PDT.

GIANTS JOTTINGS; INF Tommy La Stella returned from his rehab assignment and was reinstated off the injured list. … RHP Gregory Santos was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento after Monday’s game, and RHP Angel Rondon was designated for assignment. … Tyler Gilbert, the Diamondbacks’ starting pitcher, grew up a Giants fan in Santa Cruz, Calif., and resides in Boulder Creek in the offseason. … Attendance at Chase Field on Tuesday was 16,989.