Giants at Diamondbacks
The San Francisco Giants’ revolving door in left field has stopped temporarily with Austin Slater, who hopes to show he can be an everyday solution. The 25-year-old rookie is off to a strong start in his second stint with the team this season and figures to be in the lineup again Saturday when the Giants continue their three-game series against the host Arizona Diamondbacks.
Slater went 3-for-4 with two doubles and two RBIs in Friday’s 2-1 victory as the Giants won for the eighth time in their last 10 games and pulled within 4 1/2 games of first-place Arizona in the National League West. San Francisco has filled its left field opening with everyone from Mac Williamson to Alen Hanson and Hunter Pence and has now turned to Slater, who earned a promotion from Triple-A Sacramento last week after hitting .344 with five homers in 195 at-bats. Arizona entered Friday’s contest averaging 5.8 runs per game in June but managed just one extra-base hit in the series opener. First baseman Paul Goldschmidt is batting .404 with nine homers and 22 RBIs over his last 22 games to lead the Diamondbacks, who are 19-7 this month after going 8-19 in May.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, NBC Bay Area (San Francisco), FS Arizona
PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants RH Dereck Rodriguez (2-1, 3.82 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Shelby Miller (0-1, 12.27)
Rodriguez pitched a career-high seven innings last Sunday against San Diego and received a no-decision after allowing one run on four hits with six strikeouts. The 26-year-old rookie is 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA in two road starts compared to a 2-0 mark and 2.50 ERA in three starts at AT&T Park. The son of Hall of Famer Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez has posted a 16-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio over his last three starts across 18 2/3 innings.
After missing over a year for Tommy John surgery, Miller made his season debut last Monday and allowed five runs over 3 2/3 innings in a 9-5 loss to Miami. “It was so good to be back,” Miller told reporters. “I felt really good most of the game. I think my command could have been a little bit better, but overall I think the results didn’t play out as good as I pitched.” Brandon Belt is 1-for-20 against Miller, who is 2-5 with a 3.51 ERA in nine career starts versus San Francisco.
WALK-OFFS1. Arizona OF A.J. Pollock (thumb) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Reno on Friday and could rejoin the team next week.
2. Giants RHP Johnny Cueto (right elbow sprain) tossed four scoreless innings on 69 pitches Friday in a rehab start for Triple-A Sacramento.
3. The Diamondbacks optioned RHP Jimmie Sherfy to Reno and recalled INF/OF Christian Walker.