Giants at Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks got off to a less than stellar start on their nine-game homestand but will attempt to turn things around when they host the San Francisco Giants on Friday for the opener of their three-game series. Arizona came out on the wrong end of a three-game sweep against Colorado, dropping a 6-4 decision in 10 innings on Thursday for its fifth loss in its last six at home.
Pinch-hitter Christian Walker belted a two-run homer during a three-run sixth inning that gave the Diamondbacks a 4-3 lead, but the relief corps allowed the Rockies to tie the contest in the ninth and win it a frame later. Ketel Marte enters the series versus San Francisco piping hot as his 4-for-6 performance on Thursday gave him five straight games with multiple hits and four consecutive efforts with at least three hits. San Francisco made a late comeback attempt on Thursday but fell short, dropping a 9-8 decision to the Dodgers in Los Angeles for its third straight loss. Brandon Crawford and Mike Yastrzemski each registered two hits and three RBIs as the Giants scored four runs in the ninth and had two on with none out but were unable to push across the tying run.
TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco), FS Arizona
PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants RH Jeff Samardzija (3-6, 3.96 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Taylor Clarke (1-2, 5.34)
Samardzija is coming off his second straight loss and fifth in six starts, a setback against Milwaukee on Sunday in which he yielded four runs and nine hits over five innings. The 34-year-old native of Indiana has been unable to pitch deep into games this season, working six or more frames in only three of his 14 turns. Samardzija fell to 3-5 with a 4.18 ERA in 18 career appearances (13 starts) against the Diamondbacks after permitting three runs on five hits and three walks over 5 1/3 innings in a loss at Arizona on May 17.
Clarke will be making his seventh consecutive start after coming out of the bullpen in his major-league debut on April 20 against the Cubs in Chicago. The 26-year-old Virginian has taken just one turn at home, a loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on June 4 in which he gave up three runs and four hits in five innings. Clarke recorded his first career victory in San Francisco on May 25, when he allowed three runs on five hits and three walks in 6 1/3 innings - his longest outing to date.
WALK-OFFS
1. Walker is riding a five-game hitting streak during which he has gone 9-for-18.
2. San Francisco has been outscored 27-10 over its last three contests, allowing nine runs in each defeat.
3. Arizona OF David Peralta has driven in a run in each of his last four games.