Game Recap: D-Backs Struggles Continue, Lose To Giants

For the second straight night, the Arizona Diamondbacks (50-47) failed to come up with clutch hits in key situations, and fell to the San Francisco Giants (45-51), 4-3. While they were able to produce some offense on Saturday night, it was not enough and extremely inconsistent. The D-Backs lineup went just 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position, and have only managed to get a hit in that situation twice in their last 28 opportunities. All-Star Paul Goldschmidt came up short when his team needed him most, grounding out with the bases loaded and two outs, for the second game in a row.

Jul 20, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Wade Miley (36) throws a pitch during the fourth inning in a game against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park.

Starting pitcher Wade Miley went just four innings, allowing four hits and two earned runs, while striking out four and walking two. Josh Collmenter replaced Miley, who then let up another two runs, giving the Giants all they needed to maintain their lead.

San Francisco struck early, taking a lead in the first inning after Pablo Sandoval‘s double drove in Marco Scutaro. After three straight singles in the bottom of the fourth, Miley walked Jeff Francoeur, which brought home Buster Posey.

The Diamondbacks finally found their way onto the scoreboard in the top of the fifth after Tony Abreu‘s throwing error on a ground ball hit by Eric Chavez, which allowed Martin Prado, who had previously walked, to come around and score.

The Giants, however, would quickly respond and in the bottom of the fifth, Buster Posey hit a two-run home run, giving his team a commanding 4-1 lead.

There was still life left for Arizona, and after three straight singles in the top of the sixth, Prado drove in Aaron Hill, cutting the lead to 4-2. Prado, once again, ripped a single in the ninth, picking up another RBI and pulling the D-Backs to within one run. Cody Ross, however, struck out swinging and ended any chance of an Arizona comeback.

Matt Cain (6-6) earned the victory, pitching five innings while giving up two earned runs, striking out four and walking four. Posey and Sandoval combined for four hits and three RBIs, providing the Giants with the bulk of their offense.

The Arizona Diamondbacks have now lost three straight games and are just 1/2 game ahead of the Los Angeles Dodgers for first place in the National League West. The defending World Series champions, after a slow start to the season, sit just 4 1/2 games back of the D-Backs and seem poised to make a run at the division title. The next few months will certainly be interesting for these teams.