Arizona Diamondbacks: Four Takeaways from Game 2

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Apr 4, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (44) slaps hands with teammates while returning to the dugout after hitting a home run against the San Francisco Giants during the fourth inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

The Arizona Diamondbacks bid for a “perfect” season ended on Tuesday night at Chase Field with a loss to the Giants, but positive signs did emerge

Fans in and around Chase Field were buzzing about the 2017 version of the Arizona Diamondbacks after Sunday’s opening day victory against the San Francisco Giants.

In front of a raucous, sold-out crowd on a beautiful day in downtown Phoenix, the Diamondbacks came back not once, not twice, but three times against Giants starter Madison Bumgarner and the vulnerable Giants bullpen. Chris Owings capped off a dramatic game, hitting a walk-off single off the $62 million dollar man, San Francisco closer Mark Melancon in the bottom of the ninth.

Manager Torey Lovullo and the Diamondbacks returned to action after a day off on Monday, looking to start the season 2-0 for the first time since 2012; the Snakes began that campaign with four-straight wins.

Instead, the Diamondbacks suffered their first defeat, looking more like the 2016 version that won 69 games and failed to live up to expectations. Patrick Corbin was inefficient, and by the time the final out was recorded, one inning ended up hurting Arizona.

The Diamondbacks battled back against Giants starter Johnny Cueto, but it wasn’t enough thanks to the implosion that was the fifth inning.

After the game, Lovullo told MLB.com the team did not play the way they need to or talked about during spring training, but its only game 2 of a now 160-game marathon.

"“The bottom line is they scored more runs, they executed in more situations than we did,” Lovullo said. “They had 15 hits. They outplayed us today. They won the game. It’s time to close shop tonight and come out tomorrow.”"

After two games, the Dodgers are 1-1, the Rockies are 2-0, and the Giants are 1-1. If the Diamondbacks are going to compete this season, they will have to win more games against N.L. West opponents and at home.

Before today’s game starts, here are five takeaways from yesterday’s game.