San Francisco Giants’ Casey Schmitt (6) is congratulated for his two-run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the second inning at Chase Field in Phoenix on Thu May 11, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Thursday, May 11, 2023

PHOENIX, Ariz. – With his teammates cheering him on in the San Francisco Giants’ clubhouse, rookie shortstop Casey Schmitt was trying to sink some golf putts into a paper cup following the Giants’ 6-2 win over Arizona on Thursday.

The impromptu putting competition didn’t go so well. Baseball, apparently, comes easier to Schmitt than golf

“I’m not a good putter,” Schmitt said. “There’s something about golf, I can’t get it. I’m going to have to practice!”

Putting might be the only thing Schmitt isn’t doing well of late. He played a solid shortstop while continuing to swing a hot bat on Thursday, going 4-for-4 with three runs batted in, raising his batting average to .667 after three games.

“I think he’s done really well since he’s come up,” Giants manager Gabe Kapler said. “His shortstop play has been really impressive. Arm strength, big hits, and extreme power, like that ball he hit to left field, A lot of timely moments for Casey so far.”

The 24-year-old Schmitt admitted that he never envisioned a start like this for his major league career.

“I’m just going out there and playing baseball,” Schmitt said. “This is just amazing. I’m just taking it all in and enjoying it. Right now, I’m just having fun and whatever happens, happens.”

San Francisco jumped to a 2-0 lead in the top of the second on Schmitt’s second home run of the season, a two-run shot measured at 443 feet to left following a one-out walk to Michael Conforto.

“I watched it and I was hoping it would stay fair, then I saw it get to the upper deck,” Schmitt said of his second home run since being called up from Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday.

“It’s not so much the home run, but that he just keeps on producing,” Kapler said. “I know it’s been just a couple of games, but he’s made a significant impact. We’re lucky to have his production and I’m sure he’s enjoying every minute of this.

“He provides a lot of momentum in the clubhouse, and the players in the clubhouse are feeding off of his energy right now. … He’s loose, he’s young, and he takes things as they come. He has a simple approach to the game, doesn’t overthink things, and has an easygoing demeanor that has served him well so far.”

Giants starter Alex Cobb (3-1) worked 7 1/3 shutout innings with three strikeouts and two walks, throwing 104 pitches. Cobb lowered his ERA to 1.70.

“This is what we saw from him most of the time last season,” Kapler said of Cobb. “He was one of the best pitchers in baseball when he was on the field, and when we need plays behind him, it made him better.

“I think what we’re seeing is, the defense is allowing him to go deeper into games. You use fewer relievers, you tax your bullpen less, and you put less pressure on the offense when you make plays like that behind a pitcher like Cobb.”

The Giants added four more runs in the top of the ninth. After J.D. Davis led off with a single and Conforto walked, Schmitt drove a double to left-center, scoring Davis. Joey Bart followed with an RBI single, and, when LaMonte Wade Jr. reached on a fielder’s choice, a throwing error by D-Backs second baseman Ketel Marte allowed Schmitt to score.

Bryce Johnson’s sacrifice fly to left gave San Francisco a 6-0 lead.

The Diamondbacks threatened in the bottom of the ninth. Pavin Smith singled and Christian Walker walked, both scoring on a one-out single by Dominic Fletcher, chasing Giants reliever Cole Waites.

Camilo Doval struck out Gabriel Moreno and Alex Thomas in a non-save situation to end the game.

Arizona starter Tommy Henry (1-1) gave up five hits, two earned runs and two walks while striking out two. Fletcher went 3-for-4.

Righthander Ryne Nelson (1-2, 6.00) will start for the Diamondbacks on Friday. Kapler said the Giants have decided on a starter for Friday, but wasn’t ready to announce who it is.

GIANTS JOTTINGS: With mild temperatures for early May, the roof was open at Chase Field – 88 degrees at game time with a slight breeze blowing toward right. … OF Austin Slater was placed on the 10-day injured list with a strained left hamstring, OF Bryce Johnson was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento … The Giants are currently in a stretch of playing 12 of 16 games at home, the exception being this weekend’s four-game series in Phoenix. It’s also San Francisco’s first road trip this season that doesn’t require adjusting to a different time zone. Most of Arizona does not observe Daylight Saving Time. … The Diamondbacks have spent 23 total days this season either in or tied for first place in the NL West. … The announced attendance was 15,582, with competition from the Phoenix Suns hosting the Denver Nuggets in the NBA West semifinals next door.