Diamondbacks at Giants
The Arizona Diamondbacks have enjoyed their visit to Oracle Park so much, they may not want to leave after Sunday’s series finale. Arizona began the weekend on a five-game losing streak but have rediscovered their offense against the host San Francisco Giants, winning the first two games by a combined score of 28-6.
One day after setting a season high in runs scored in Friday’s 18-2 rout, Arizona cruised to a 10-4 victory behind Ketel Marte’s second home run in as many games and a total of five hits and four RBIs from Adam Jones, Tim Locastro and Ildemaro Vargas. Kevin Cron, who had 21 home runs and 62 RBIs in 165 at-bats at Triple-A Reno before joining the Diamondbacks on Friday, started at first base Saturday and went 1-for-4 with two RBIs while hitting fifth in the order. San Francisco has lost four in a row and continued its season-long search for a regular left fielder by promoting Michael Yastrzemski from Triple-A Sacramento prior to Saturday’s contest. Yastrzemski, the grandson of Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski, went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and a run scored in place of Mac Williamson, who was designated for assignment after recording one hit in his last 27 at-bats.
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FS Arizona, NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Luke Weaver (3-3, 3.14 ERA) vs. Giants RH Shaun Anderson (0-0, 3.60)
Weaver was a hard-luck loser Monday against San Diego after allowing two runs and striking out seven over six innings. “He was unbelievable,” manager Torey Lovullo told reporters. “He did everything he could to keep us in the game.” The 25-year-old native of Florida owns a 2.44 ERA and 55-to-8 strikeout-to-walk ratio over his last eight starts since April 12 and is 2-1 with a 2.04 ERA in three career starts versus San Francisco.
Anderson has pitched well in two starts since joining the Giants’ rotation May 15, allowing a total of five runs (four earned) with eight strikeouts over 10 innings. “He’s a bulldog out there,” catcher Aramis Garcia told reporters about the 24-year-old. “He’s not afraid. He’ll challenge everybody, and that’s what I love about him.” Anderson, who was acquired from Boston in the 2017 trade for Eduardo Nunez, posted a 4.11 ERA in seven starts for Triple-A Sacramento before his promotion.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Giants have been outscored 51-10 in the first inning this season.
2. Arizona designated C John Ryan Murphy for assignment.
3. San Francisco placed Trevor Gott on the 10-day injured list with a right forearm strain and recalled fellow RHP Dereck Rodriguez from Triple-A Sacramento.