San Francisco Giants starter Yunior Marte throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the second game of a doubleheader at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sat Aug 29, 2026 (AP News photo)

By William Espy

SAN FRANCISCO–Arizona Diamondbacks and San Francisco Giants on Saturday night closed out the second game of the doubleheader with the Giants splitting the double dip with a 7-2 win on Saturday night after losing the front game. After a ceremony to honor the career of Jeff Kent by retiring his number, it was time for the second game of the day.The Giant

23-year-old Yunior Marte was on the mound for the Giants, making his MLB debut. Despite giving up a walk to the lead-off batter, Lars Nootbaar, the young pitcher was able to get through his first inning with relative ease.

Jonah Cox drew a lead-off walk for the Giants in the bottom of the first inning, then stole both second and third base, putting him 90 feet away from home plate. Bryce Eldridge then drove in the run, giving the Giants an early 1-0 lead.

Marte then retired the Diamondbacks in order in the second inning, continuing a strong start to his Major League debut.

The 23-year-old’s first career strikeout came against veteran catcher James McCann, but the Diamondbacks got their first hit of the evening in the top of the third inning, when Ildemaro Vargas narrowly beat out a ground ball to the pitcher.

Moments later, the visitors tied things up, as Nootbaar hit a ball to left field that ricocheted out of Grant McCray’s glove and allowed Vargas to score from first base. Officially, the play was credited as an RBI double for Nootbaar. After walking Corbin Carroll, the Giants were able to get out of the inning despite runners on first and second.

Cox continued his strong start to the night with a weak single to get the Giants’ offense going in the bottom of the third inning. Then, with two outs, he was on the move again, stealing second base for the second time in the game. Bryce Eldridge then struck out looking to end the inning. Despite a lengthy conversation with the umpire regarding the pitch, he opted not to use an ABS challenge to try to overturn the call.

Tim Tawa tried to get the Diamondbacks’ offense rolling with two outs in the top of the fourth with a double off the left-field wall, but McCann went down on strikes for the second time to end the inning.

Marte was pulled in the top of the fifth inning after retiring two, with Reiver Sanmartin taking over on the mound.

The Giants’ offense came out hot in the bottom of the fifth inning, as McCray hit a lead-off single which was followed up by a walk for Osleivis Basabe. Christian Koss then advanced both runners into scoring position with a sacrifice.

At this point, the Diamondbacks made a call to the bullpen of their own, bringing Gerardo Carrillo into the game to face Drew Gilbert, who immediately drew a walk to load the bases for Rafael Devers. On the first pitch he saw, Devers singled to right field, putting the Giants back in front, 2-1.

Eldridge then drove in a pair of runners with a single to right field, making it a 4-2 ballgame.

Jung Hoo Lee then earned a walk of his own to load the bases once again. The Giants wouldn’t be able to capitalize any further, as the Diamondbacks escaped the inning with no additional damage.

Trent Harris took over on the mound for the top of the sixth inning, and after he retired the side, the Diamondbacks made another pitching change of their own, bringing in Derek Law.

The Diamondbacks cut into the Giants’ lead in the top of the seventh inning, as Max Kepler and McCann got themselves on base against Jason Foley. Vargas then singled with an awkward hit to left field that allowed Kepler to score, making it 4-2. The next batter, Waldschmidt, grounded out but advanced the runners into scoring position, putting immense pressure on the Giants, who pulled Foley in favor of Carson Seymour.

With a full count against Nootbaar, Seymour was able to strike him out to end the inning and escape a potentially disastrous situation.

Gilbert drew a walk to start the bottom of the seventh inning, and after a strikeout by Devers, Eldridge joined Gilbert on base with a one-out single. Jung Hoo Lee then singled to left-center, driving in Gilbert from second base and restoring the Giants’ three-run lead. Drew Cavanaugh struck out with runners on first and second to end the inning.

Devers and Eldridge added an RBI apiece in the bottom of the 8th to extend the Giants’ lead to 7-2, securing the victory.

Giants will have Sunday off and fly to Atlanta for a rain out make up game on Monday Aug 31st at 3:05pm PDT at Truist Park in Cobb County GA. Starters for San Francisco and Atlanta to be announced.