Tag: Arizona Diamondbacks

San Francisco Giants catcher Joey Bart slugs a fifth inning RBI double against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on Wed Jul 6, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum

Wednesday, July 6, 2022

PHOENIX, Ariz. – San Francisco snapped a six-game losing streak along with salvaging the third game of its series in the Valley of the Sun, as the Giants came from behind to beat Arizona 7-5 Wednesday at Chase Field.

“It doesn’t quite feel like ‘finally,’” Giants manager Gabe Kapler said. “This was how we saw things unfold last year with our pinch-hitting; that’s a testament to these guys staying with it and believing in themselves. We believe in all of our guys. We win as a team, and we believe all of our guys are prepared for the moments.”

San Francisco broke a 4-4 deadlock with a three-run rally in the top of the ninth, with Austin Slater providing the key blow with a two-RBI double off Diamondbacks reliever Sean Poppen.

“I think that when we get into streaks like the one we were just in, the game can pile up on you, and it feels like bad things are always going to happen,” Slater said. “So to break that feeling, the guys had to come up with big hits in big situations and I thought we did that up and down the lineup tonight.

“I don’t think it was just one guy. Joey had a huge hit with an almost-homer, (Crawford) beating out that ground ball was a huge play.”

On his key ninth-inning double, Slater said, “I was just looking for something up over the plate. Poppen has a good sinker that he gets in on the hands, so I was just looking for something up and try not to do too much and just get the barrel on it.”

“Last night, Slates came close to changing the game for us. Tonight, he may have won the game for us,’ Kapler said. “He’s always going to be one of our best options against a left-handed pitcher. If you look at his numbers, they’re almost like superstar numbers against lefties. Slates is on the roster to take those at-bats.”

The Diamondbacks responded with a threat in the bottom of the ninth against Giants closer Camilo Doval. Geraldo Perdomo opened the inning with a walk and scored on a pinch-hit single by Jake Hager, pulling the Snakes to within 7-5. Alek Thomas walked prior to Hager’s hit, and Christian Walker was walked to load the bases.

That chased Doval, and Sam Long was summoned from the San Francisco bullpen. Pinch-hitter Jordan Luplow struck out to end the game, giving Long his first save of the season.

John Brebbia (4-1), the third of six Giants pitchers used, picked up the win, tossing a scoreless eighth. Doval was credited with his second hold.

“Sam is always a good option,” Kapler said. “We trust all of our pitchers in the biggest moments. Today, we trusted Sam Long. It’s not fair to expect someone to come in with the bases loaded and get that one out, it’s very tough. Sam is a good strike thrower right now and he’s as good an option as we had, and we trusted him.”

The Giants tied the game at 4-4 on Darrin Ruf’s seventh home run of the season in the top of the eighth inning. Austin Slater, pinch-hitting for Joey Bart, reached on a bunt single. Ruf followed with his game-tying drive to left-center off Diamondbacks reliever Joe Mantiply (1-2), who was tagged with the loss.

“We’ve stressed to Slates for a long time that when the defense is giving him that bunt for a hit opportunity that he should take it,” Kapler said. “He was right on top of it, and if that opportunity presents itself again, maybe take advantage of it again.”

The Diamondbacks took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on an RBI single by David Peralta, driving in Ketel Marte, who reached on a two-out double.

Arizona added three runs in the second on a run-scoring double by Josh Rojas and a two-RBI single by Alek Thomas.

The Giants battled back in the fifth inning with a pair of runs despite having a home run overturned by a video replay. Crawford’s two-out double broke up a no-hit bid by Merrill Kelly, followed by a walk to Tommy La Stella. Joey Bart appeared to have hit a three0-run home run, but fan interference was ruled after a video review, returning Bart to second and allowing Crawford to score.

LaMonte Wade Jr. hit into a fielder’s choice, driving in La Stella, cutting the Arizona lead to 4-2.

Giants starter Alex Cobb turned in what Kapler called “a courageous performance,” citing his six-inning effort despite not feeling well. “That was a huge, important performance for us.” Cobb gave up four earned runs on seven hits and a walk, with three strikeouts.

Kelly wound up going 6 1/3 innings, giving up two runs on two hits and three walks with six strikeouts.

The Giants’ road trip continues on Thursday with a four-game series in San Diego, as San Francisco looks for an opportunity to gain ground on the Padres, who are in second place in the NL West. Saturday’s game will be nationally televised on FOX.

“It’s good to get the win tonight. Now, it’s on to the Padres tomorrow,” Kapler said. “We played better baseball tonight, we got more key hits tonight, made more plays, made more pitches.

“We’re not going to get too high or too low. There’s not going to be any panic or over-celebration. We expect this type of performance from ourselves.”

The Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Buddy Kennedy retires San Francisco Giant Brandon Crawford at second and relays the throw to first in a double play in the top of the third inning at Chase Field in Phoenix on Tue Jul 5, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Tuesday, July 5, 2022

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Bunting with two strikes is rarely, if ever, advised. Arizona’s Josh Rojas proved it can work.

Pinch-hitting for Jake Hager to lead off the Diamondback eighth inning, the left-handed hitting Rojas avoided the shift and dropped a bunt on the left side, igniting a five-run rally that gave Arizona a 6-2 win over the San Francisco Giants Tuesday at Chase Field.

It was the Diamondbacks’ second straight win, and the Giants’ sixth loss in a row, and 10thsetback in their last 12 games.

“That conversation started in spring training,” Rojas explained about the risky play. “The discussion was, ‘What are the averages in 0-2 counts?’ My guess was, if you’re going good, maybe .200, I can get half the bunts down in fair territory. The scariest part is when you bunt it foul and you look like an idiot. If you can get past that, and get half of them in play, I think I can get more than half of them in play.” said Rojas

“I’ve had a couple of opportunities this year where the thought of bunting it foul was just too strong and I got scared. I was talking to my dad last week before we hit the road. He told me, ‘it’s there. There giving you that pitch with two strikes.’ I told him, ‘I know it’s there, but I just can’t do it.’ Today was the perfect opportunity. (Dominic Leone) threw me a fastball and I swung over a slider. Then (the Giants) cleared the left side of the infield and I thought, ‘I’ll increase my batting average from .100 to .500!’“I’m 1-for-1 now on those, and we’ll see if I have the courage to do it again.” said Rojas

The Diamondbacks forged a five-run rally to take the lead in the bottom of the eighth inning. Rojas ignited the rally with his daring bunt single off a 102 mile-per-hour fastball and moved to third on a one-out single by Hummel. With Ketel Marte at the plate, Leone (3-1) uncorked a wild pitch, allowing Rojas to score from third and Hummel advanced to second.

“I think Dom was just having trouble finding the strike zone,” Giants manager Gabe Kapler said. “He made some pitches we were hoping to get them to chase on, got behind in the counts, and had to deliver strikes. “Dom has been one of the best right-handed relievers over the last calendar year. We wanted to give him a chance to work out of it himself, and we saw that the command and the control were a problem. That’s when we went to Camilo.”

“I think Josh was disrupting Leone,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. “He did a good job of getting on base and disrupting him on the bases.”

Leone’s second wild pitch of the inning allowed Hummel to reach third and Marte – who walked – to second. Christian Walker followed with a walk to load the bases, chasing Leone. Buddy Kennedy’s sacrifice fly off Camilo Doval drove in Hummel to put the Diamondbacks up 3-2, and Varsho followed with a three-run home run to right.

“I knew it would be hard because I faced (Doval) in Triple-A last year, so it’s not going to be one of those at-bats where you’re going to take pitches,” Varsho said. “You have to be ready to swing on the first pitch. “I was more thrilled for the team than I was for myself. Baseball is hard and I had a tough month. It was good to start this month really well.”

The Giants took a 2-1 lead after challenging a call in the top of the seventh. Yermin Mercedes walked and moved to second on a groundout by Brandon Crawford before Austin Wynns’ fly down the left field line off D-Backs reliever Caleb Smith (1-1) was trapped by Arizona left-fielder Cooper Hummel, who slid into foul territory. After review, it was ruled a single and run batted in for Wynns.

San Francisco threatened again in the top of the eighth, when Wilmer Flores walked and Evan Longoria was intentionally walked. But Joc Pederson grounded out to first and Mercedes flied out to center.

San Francisco broke through with a run off Arizona starter Tyler Gilbert in the fourth inning. Austin Slater led off with an infield hit and, after singles by Flores and Darin Ruf loaded the bases, scored on Pederson’s sacrifice fly to left off D-Backs reliever Kenyan Middleton.

Arizona tied the game at 1-1 in the fifth when Carson Kelly hit a ground rule double to right, moved to third Alek Thomas’ groundout, and scored on a single by Geraldo Perdomo to right-center.

The three-game series concludes on Wednesday, with Alex Cobb (3-3, 4.59) on the mound for the Giants, facing Merrill Kelly (7-5, 3.46) for the D-Backs in a matchup of right-handers. Game time is 6:40 p.m.

GIANT JOTTINGS: Prior to the game, San Francisco activated SS Brandon Crawford from the 10-day IL, while C Curt Casali was placed on the IL (right oblique strain). LHP Jose Alvarez returned to the Giants following a rehab assignment and was reinstated from the 15-day IL.

INF Donovan Walton was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento. … The Giants challenged a call in the top of the seventh, when Austin Wynns’ fly down the left field line was trapped by Arizona left-fielder Cooper Hummel.

After review, it was ruled a single and run batted in for Wynns. … D-Backs LHP Joe Mantiply holds the MLB record for consecutive appearances by a left-hander without issuing a walk with 32. … Attendance was 14,437.

By Morris Phillips

SAN FRANCISCO–Consider the amazing NL West race featuring the Dodgers and Giants a stare down. After 159 games–and thus far in the season’s final week–neither team has flinched.

But the Dodgers–likely watching the conclusion of the Arizona-San Francisco game on television in their clubhouse–suffered a collective twitch.

After the Dodgers blew past the Padres in Los Angeles 8-3, the Giants followed with the “Late Night” Lamonte show at Oracle Park in their 5-4 win over the Diamondbacks. With three games to play, the Giants (105-54) maintained a two game lead over their rival in a race that has baseball history written all over it, and will command the baseball world’s attention in the final weekend.

“I would just say that this is two teams playing really good baseball in a pennant race,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “Like I’ve said many times over, we can be in tune with what’s going on outside of our games which is part of the fun. But most importantly we just have to play good baseball. However, we get there–if we do that–bring it on.”

Madison Bumgarner, the MVP of the 2014 World Series for the Giants and Arizona’s starting pitcher on Thursday night, weighed in on the divisional battle that–at least for one night–included him in the drama. After five inning stint in which he departed with the game tied, 4-4, he certainly had a barrel full of perspective on his former team.

“I know people have counted them out all year and a lot of people can’t understand it and make sense out of it, but I’ve been on that side when people are saying the same thing,” Bumgarner said. “I know how dangerous the Giants are just in general when they get in the postseason. I’ve obviously seen that a time or two, so there’s something about that uniform.”

Bumgarner–pitching for the first time in San Francisco wearing another uniform other than the Giants’–received a pair of well-deserved and loud ovations from the crowd of 27,503. In a twist that only baseball can provide, the second of those ovations came in the top of the first inning, not the bottom with him on the mound. At that point, Bum was the ninth batter of the inning with the D’Backs already leading 3-0. Despite the gravity of the game at that juncture, the lefty’s welcome was genuine. Genuine enough that he paused before stepping into the box and briefly waved his batting helmet.

“It was really cool,” he said. “This place, I’ve said it a bunch, it means a lot to me and my family. I don’t take that for granted by no means. I enjoyed that and I’m very thankful for that.”

The Giants were forced to go full improvisation in the inning as starting pitcher Scott Kazmir was injured on a ground ball that demanded he cover first base. So after recording just one out and throwing 12 pitches, Kazmir departed and Kervin Castro was summoned from the bullpen. The two pitchers allowed five hits in the first, and three runs, all charged to Kazmir.

But the Giants battled back, scoring single runs in the first, third and fourth to gain a 3-3 tie. In the fourth, Brandon Crawford homered off his old teammate, his career-best 24th and the only home run of the ballgame.

In the fifth with Arizona again leading 4-3, Buster Posey got his shot against his old battery mate. Posey’s RBI double scored Austin Slater from first base. The Giants’ catcher also delivered an RBI sacrifice fly in third.

Johnny Cueto, activated from the injured list, was the third of seven Giants’ pitchers to enter the ball game. Cueto pitched the third and fourth innings, along with recording the first out of the fifth. The veteran who has suffered elbow injuries, threw 48 pitches and seemed adaptable to his likely postseason role: pitching out of the bullpen.

It was Cueto’s first ever appearance as a reliever after 329 starts, and 135 wins.

“I’ll be myself,” he said, speaking through an interpreter. “Of course, I’ll be a little bit more aggressive because I know it’s going to be maybe one inning or two.”

The game remained tied until the ninth where Wilmer Flores doubled with one out. Reliever Joe Mantiply then intentionally walked Donovan Solano. Curt Casali in a pinch-hitting role was next and he drew a walk to load the bases. That brought a second pinch-hitter to the plate, “Late Night” LaMonte Wade Jr.

Wade, who had 13 hits and 12 RBI in ninth innings alone this season, delivered again. On a two-strike pitch, he stroked a hard-hit groundball that got between first baseman Paven Smith and second baseman Ketel Marte for a game-ending base hit.

Ironically, the prolific Wade had not delivered a game-ending hit at home. Twenty-seven Giants ran toward the slugger after touched first base to introduce him to the world of walk offs.

On Friday, the Giants’ open the final series of the season against the visiting Padres, who return to San Francisco after being swept by the Dodgers, and losing 39 of their last 58 games. The Giants will need to win twice in the series to clinch the division. That is, if they don’t get any help from the Dodgers, who will host the Brewers this weekend.

The Dodgers (103-56) have won 44 of their last 60 games since July 23.

NOTES: Before the game, Cueto and Darin Ruf were reinstated from the 10-day IL. Ruf started in left field, and went 2 for 4 with an RBI. Tony Watson was placed on the injured list with a shoulder strain, and Jose Quintana was designated for assignment.

Arizona Diamondback pitcher Madison Bumgarner doffs his cap during his last trip in San Francisco against his former team the San Francisco Giants on Aug 10, 2021. Bumgarner will be making his first start at Oracle Park for this season against his former team Thu Sep 30, 2021. (file photo by Bay Area News Group)

On the Giants podcast with Michael:

#1 Starting with Tuesday night’s game against the Arizona Diamondback the Giants have held up just well defeating Arizona in game one of this three game series 6-4 after losing their captain Brandon Belt to a fractured thumb for the rest of the season. They were focused in the win.

#2 In the clubhouse Michael what’s it been like for the players when they lose a player of the magnitude of a Belt who had just been on a hit parade before the injury in Colorado.

#3 Michael, talk about the platooning of first base with LaMonte Wade Jr playing the position on Tuesday and Wilmer Flores at first on Wednesday do you see manager Gabe Kapler rotating the position for the rest of week.

#4 Talk about that outstanding pitching match between the Diamondbacks starter Merrill Kelly and Giant starter Alex Wood on Wednesday night you would have never known that the D Backs were a last place team and Wood as always was at the top of his pitching performance.

#5 Diamondbacks and Giants go at it once again tonight at Oracle for a 6:45 PM PDT first pitch. Madison Bumgarner (7-10 ERA 4.58) going for the Diamondbacks he’ll be opposed by the Giants Scott Kazmir (0-1 ERA 4.09) at Oracle Park tonight.

Join Michael for the Giants podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

By Morris Phillips

SAN FRANCISCO–Didn’t think the record-breaking, home run-hitting Giants had this in their arsenal?

Well, you would be half right, and not the half you believed in.

The Giants nudged themselves past the Diamondbacks, 1-0 on Wednesday night at Oracle Park to reduce their magic number to win the NL West to three. And they did it as small–offensively–as possible, winning on Kris Bryant’s sacrifice fly in the seventh inning that scored Steven Duggar.

The Giants (104-54) have hit a franchise-record 237 home runs and posted a bunch of shutouts, not surprising balance for a team threatening to join the 1975 Reds and 1986 Mets as the winningest single season teams in National League history since divisional play began in 1969. But winning 1-0?

Well, a quick look back reveals they won 1-0 on April 18 at Miami when Alex Dickerson singled home a run in the third inning that stood up. And they bested the Nationals on June 11 when Buster Posey homered in the fourth inning, after Max Scherzer–know that name?–departed with a groin issue after throwing just 12 pitches. But winning 1-0 on a sacrifice fly is smaller brand of offense that, well, the Giants hadn’t accomplished this year.

“We pitched really well and the bullpen’s been nails all year,” starting pitcher Alex Wood said. “I can’t wait for October.”

A couple of things turned this one into a nail biter. D’Backs starter Merrill Kelly played Houdini, walking four and allowing three hits in five innings of work while not allowing a run. Three Arizona relievers followed and were equally as stingy, but Noel Ramirez allowed a single to Tommy La Stella, Steven Duggar then pinch ran for La Stella and stole second. Lamonte Wade Jr. grounded out, moving Duggar to third, where he stood when Bryant delivered the game-deciding sacrifice fly.

A manufactured run if ever there was one, but the Giants will take it.

The Giants were denied a far more comfortable margin of victory in the eighth when Duggar was robbed by Gary Varsho’s catch at the top of the left centerfield wall with two runners on.

Wood was stellar through six innings, allowing three hits and striking out six. Wood had the look of a competitor attempting to insure that he will prominently featured in the Giants’ postseason rotation by issuing no walks then retiring for the evening after throwing an economical 74 pitches. Three relievers (Dominic Leone, Jarlin Garcia and emerging high leverage guy, Camilo Doval) finished the D’Backs, combining to allow one hit with none of three throwing more than 11 pitches in their inning each.

The Giants achieved an incredible first with the win, becoming the first San Francisco Giants’ team to win as many as 104 games in a season. What’s next? The NY Giants of 1905 won 105, the NY Giants of 1904 won 106, and the Mets and Reds–the most inconic NL teams of this era–both won 108.

“It’s a huge accomplishment,” manager Gabe Kapler said. “This team has done so many good things. To say that this club has won more games than any other San Francisco Giants team is quite fulfilling.”

At press time, the Dodgers were locked into an incredible, back-and-forth affair with the Padres, with the score 9-9 in the bottom of the eighth inning. The Dodgers led 5-1 after two, then trailed 9-5 in the bottom of the seventh, only to score five times in the eighth to regain the lead. If the Dodgers lose, the Giants magic number would be reduced to two.

On Thursday, the Diamondbacks–now an incredible 54 games out of first place in the NL West–will bring Madison Bumgarner to the mound in his first pitching assignment in San Francisco since he left the Giants after the 2019 season. The Giants have not announced a pitcher, but Scott Kazmir’s name was being bandied on Twitter as if he would get the call on Thursday, but no announcement has been made.