Arizona Diamondbacks: Four Takeaways from Giants finale

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If Arizona’s core position players can stay healthy, this team can easily lead the National League in runs scored. The Rockies will have something to say about that, but both lineups are comparable.

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher J.J. Hoover (60) celebrates with Jeff Mathis (2) after defeating the San Francisco Giants 9-3 at Chase Field. (Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports) /

The Arizona Diamondbacks won the series over the San Francisco Giants on Thursday night at Chase Field

After a disastrous 2016 season, the first year of the Torey Lovullo Era could not have started any better.

The Arizona Diamondbacks offense broke out in the middle innings for the second time in as many days, and the bullpen did its job. Arizona faced two aces: Madison Bumgarner and Johnny Cueto, and two other pitchers that at their best, are fringe aces:, including Matt Moore and Jeff Samardzija.

In all three games the Diamondbacks won, they were done early but their never say die attitude seemed to carry over from Opening Day. The Diamondbacks had every right to celebrate. Arizona earned their first 4-game series victory versus San Francisco at Chase Field since September 2008.

However, they could not celebrate for long. Starting on Friday night, the Diamondbacks welcome the defending American League champion Cleveland Indians for three games. First baseman Pau Goldschmidt, speaking with MLB.com, echoed that sentiment after Thursday’s win.

"“It’s a good way to start. But we know we’ve got a long season. If we would have been 1-3 we would’ve been saying there’s a long way to go.”"

Jake Lamb had the big blow off Samardzija with a three-run home run to right-center in the sixth, giving the Diamondbacks a 5-3 lead. Simply put, the Diamondbacks outhit the Giants, especially in clutch situations, and that will get the job done.

The Giants blew six leads in the series and San Francisco starters compiled a 6.35 ERA. Eduardo Nunez did his best to keep the team competitive, but porous pitching will not get it done against any team.