After getting swept by the Mets heading into the All Star Break in New York, the Diamondbacks were looking for at least a series victory against the division rival Giants. This was an important series for 2 main reasons: to gain some momentum in the N.L. Wild Card race, and after working so hard to get back to .500, a series win would have been nice for this team.
Plus it’s always good to do well against teams in your own divison. Instead, the Diamondbacks did the exact opposite as they were swept again, and have lost 6 games in a row. They are now 42-48, 9.5 games back in the N.L. West, and they have the same record as the Padres.
It’s time to recap a very dissapointjng series against the Giants to begin the 2nd half. Here we go!
Game 1: Giants-6 Diamondbacks-5 (12)
Jul 17, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants right fielder Hunter Pence (8) hits a two run home run in the seventh inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Looking to get the home-stand on the right note the Diamondbacks began a series with the Giants on Friday night with Robbie Ray facing Matt Cain.
Both starters didn’t factor into the outcome and were long gone when the game was finally decided 5 hours and 11 minutes after it began in 12 innings.
Ray allowed a season high 8 hits but made critical pitches when he needed to giving up just 2 runs in five innings. Cain gave up 4 runs in 5 innings.
With a chance to win game 1, the Dbacks beat themselves. With a 5-2 lead heading into the 8th, the Giants tied it with a 3 spot highlighted by a Hunter Pence 2 run homer to right.
Giants reliever Ryan Vogelsong dropped down a perfect bunt for an infield single in the 12th to load the bases. Angel Pagan followed with a grounder to shortstop Cliff Pennington. He decided to go home and the throw sailed past catcher Wellington Castillo and Brandon Crawford scored the winning run.
Game 2: Giants-8 Diamondbacks-4
Jul 18, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Chase Anderson (57) throws in the fourth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
After beating themselves in game 1 the Dbacks were looking for a win and a bounce back performance for Chase Anderson.
Instead they got a similar performance from Anderson that we have seen for quite a while. Anderson struggled early and often giving up 7 runs on 10 hits in just 3 and 2/3 innings, his shortest outing of the year. He has a 9.12 ERA in his last 5 starts and was recently placed on the D.L.
Led by Buster Posey’s 3 hits and 4 RBI’s and Brandon Crawford’s 2 RBI’s, the Giants got veteran Jake Peavy his first win in 2015. Peavy allowed 4 runs in 6 and a third innings.
Diamondbacks rookie catcher Oscar Hernandez made his first big league start behind the plate, and collected his first big league hit a double in the 5th.
Game 3: Giants-2 Diamondbacks-1
Jul 19, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Patrick Corbin throws in the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Looking to salvage at least 1 game in the series the Diamondbacks couldn’t get any offense, and they lost 2-1 suffering a season high 6th straight loss.
They matched their low water mark of the season. On May 17th they were 15-21. Patrick Corbin was decent in his 3rd start back in the majors since Tommy John Surgery, allowing 2 runs in 5 innings on a season high 86 pitches. Remember he is on a pitch count limit.
The Dbacks offense had the bases loaded against Giants ace Madison Bumgarner in the 2nd but only got 1 run on a sacrifice fielders choice groundout by Corbin.
The Dbacks actually out hit the Giants 9 to 5 but where 1-9 with RISP and left 9 on base.