Jun 21, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman
Aaron Hill(2) hits a two run single against the San Francisco Giants at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
After losing three out four to the Brewers, the Diamondbacks were looking to steal a series from the best team in baseball record wise, the San Francisco Giants. It started out well, but by the end of the series the story was the same for the Dbacks who lost another series.
Game 1: Giants-1 Diamondbacks-4
The series started off well for the Snakes, and after one game it looked like the Dbacks might have a chance to steal a series against their N.L West rivals. Entering the game, the Dbacks had lost 7 of their past 9 and were desperate to start a winning streak. They took the first step Friday night thanks to a great pitching performance from Josh Collmenter and a great day at the plate from Paul Goldschmidt. Collmenter wasn’t very efficient but he limited the damage to just one run. Goldy hit a single, walked, and doubled against Giants starter Tim Lincecum improved to 14 for 25 against him in his career-that is dominant. Aaron Hill went 2 for 2 with two RBI.
Game 2: Giants-6 Diamondbacks-4
Brandon McCarthy‘s horrible season continues and this time the loss was his fault. He gave up three first inning runs, digging himself, and his team into a whole early. The Dbacks offense was 3 for 10 with runners in scoring position, missing alot of opportunities against Giants starter Ryan Vogelsong. In total the Snakes offense left 14 runners on base. Brandon McCarthy took his 10th loss of the season. The Dbacks made it interesting in the 9th inning, but with runners on second and third Goldy lined out to end the game.
Game 3: Giants-4 Diamondbacks-1
The Diamondbacks were looking to win the rubber match and steal some momentum. Instead they played a game filled with defensive miscues and lost to the Giants 4-1 in front of an announced attendance of 27,682 plus 313 dogs part of the Bark in the Park at Chase Field. The Dbacks offense came so close to taking the lead in the bottom of the first but Inciarte just missed the foul pole in left field leading off the game. It was a pitchers duel for most of the game. Bolsinger pitched brilliantly giving up only one earned run but his offense couldn’t support him.
Through the first 8 innings against Giants starter Madison Bumgardner the Dbacks only had one hit and three baserunners. Sometimes you just have to tip your cap to the opposing starter and today that was the case. Bumgardner threw a first pitch strike to 20 of 28 batters faced. In the fifth inning he issued a one out walk to Brandon Crawford, and then he scored on a double by Colvin. The bullpen was asked to keep it a one run game and they simply couldn’t do that.
In the 9th the pen surrendered three insurance runs. First Hunter Pence singled to leadoff the inning. Then Buster Posey doubled to score Pence. After Sandoval popped out to second,, Crawford singled to score another run to make it 3-0. Finally Joe Panik the Giants top prospect doubled into the left center-field gap scoring Crawford to make it 4-0.
The Dbacks made it interesting in the 9th inning. Pinch hitter Jordan Pacheo reached on an E6 at 1B and then Inciarte singled. Prado followed that with a single scoring Pacheo to make it 4-1. Goldy was due up next but he grounded into a 6-4-3 double play to strand the threat. Hill then struck out to end the game as the Giants took two out of three.
The Dbacks get an off day Monday. They start an interleague series at Chase with the Cleveland Indians Tuesday night.