AP
PHOENIX (AP) Zac Gallen struck out 11 in six innings, pinch hitter Pavin Smith hit a three-run homer and the Arizona Diamondbacks ended a three-game losing streak with an 8-2 win over the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday night.
Arizona needed a rebound after a losing streak that included a blown eight-run lead in a loss to Milwaukee and Tuesday’s lackluster 11-0 loss to the Giants.
The Diamondbacks responded behind a strong performance from their ace to tie the New York Mets in the National League wild card, a game ahead of Atlanta. The Braves and Mets had to postpone the final two games of their series until a Monday doubleheader due to Hurricane Helene.
“These matter big-time, I think we had to prove to ourselves to get back on track,” Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker said. “We had to find a little confidence, a little swagger.”
Gallen gave it to them.
The right-hander gave up a run-scoring double to Tyler Fitzgerald in the second inning, but shut the Giants down after that. Gallen (14-6) retired 12 straight starting in the second inning and struck out the side in the fifth.
“That’s probably the best I’ve felt in a while,” said Gallen, who allowed a run on two hits with two walks to win his fifth straight decision. “Everything seemed to work, for the most part, and executed a good game plan.”
Arizona’s offense also came back to life after Tuesday’s letdown, chasing Giants starter Mason Black (1-5) by the third inning. Gabriel Moreno had two RBIs and Smith put the game out of reach in the eighth by splashing a homer into the pool in right-center.
The Giants didn’t put up much of a fight a night after blowing the Diamondbacks out, striking out 17 times to end a 7-1 run against playoff contenders.
“We’ve got to put it in play a little bit more,” Giants manager Bob Melvin said.
Black earned first big league victory by tossing 5 2/3 scoreless innings against Kansas City last Friday.
He wasn’t nearly as sharp against the Diamondbacks.
Fighting control issues, Black gave up run-scoring singles by Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Moreno in the second inning, before Corbin Carroll added a sacrifice fly. Black walked three in the third inning, including Moreno with the bases loaded, to put Arizona up 4-1.
Black allowed four runs on five hits with five walks in 2 2/3 innings.
“Walks always kill,” Black said. “Mechanically, I just felt out of synch out there.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Diamondbacks: RHP Paul Sewald threw a short bullpen session as he works his way back from a neck/shoulder issue.
UP NEXT
Giants: San Francisco has not named a starter for Friday’s opener of a three-game series against St. Louis.
Diamondbacks: Arizona has yet to name a starter for the opener of a three-game series against San Diego on Friday.
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This story has been updated to correct the name Arizona pinch hitter to Pavin Smith, instead of Gavin.
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| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Giants79-80 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 0 |
| Diamondbacks88-71 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | X | 8 | 11 | 0 |
- Chase FieldPhoenix, AZ
- W: Z. Gallen (14-6)L: M. Black (1-5)S: (0)
- HR: ARI – P. Smith (8)
PLAYERS OF THE GAME
| HITTERS | AB | R | H | RBI | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M. Yastrzemski RF | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .232 |
| H. Ramos LF | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | .273 |
| L. Wade 1B | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .262 |
| a- M. Canha PH-1B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .234 |
| M. Chapman 3B | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .246 |
| M. Conforto DH | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .234 |
| P. Bailey C | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .235 |
| T. Fitzgerald SS | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .286 |
| G. McCray CF | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .197 |
| B. Wisely 2B | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .228 |
- a-struck out for Wade in the 8th
| HITTERS | AB | R | H | RBI | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C. Carroll RF | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | .232 |
| K. Marte 2B | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .294 |
| J. Pederson DH | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .278 |
| a- R. Grichuk PH-DH | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .287 |
| b- P. Smith PH-DH | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | .278 |
| C. Walker 1B | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | .252 |
| L. Gurriel LF | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .277 |
| J. McCarthy CF | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .283 |
| E. Suarez 3B | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .253 |
| G. Moreno C | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | .267 |
| G. Perdomo SS | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | .277 |
- a-walked for Pederson in the 6th
- b-homered for Grichuk in the 8th
BATTING
- 2B – M. Yastrzemski (15), H. Ramos (23), T. Fitzgerald (19)
- RBI – H. Ramos (72), T. Fitzgerald (34)
- Runners left in scoring position, 2-Out – M. Chapman, B. Wisely 2 (2)
BATTING
- 2B – C. Walker (25)
- HR – P. Smith (9)
- SF – C. Carroll (9)
- RBI – C. Carroll (73), P. Smith 3 (36), C. Walker (84), L. Gurriel (73), G. Moreno 2 (44)
- 2-Out RBI – P. Smith 3 (3), G. Moreno
- Runners left in scoring position, 2-Out – K. Marte, C. Walker, G. Perdomo 2 (2)
BASERUNNING
- CS – C. Carroll (8)
FIELDING
- DP – (Wisely-Fitzgerald-Wade)
FIELDING
- Outfield Assist – C. Carroll
| PITCHERS | IP | H | ER | BB | SO | ERA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M. Black(L, 1-5) | 2.2 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 6.44 |
| S. Hjelle | 1.1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3.84 |
| T. Rogers | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2.48 |
| E. Miller | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3.48 |
| C. Doval | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5.05 |
| S. Bivens | 1.0 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3.21 |
| PITCHERS | IP | H | ER | BB | SO | ERA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Z. Gallen(W, 14-6) | 6.0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 11 | 3.65 |
| J. Martinez | 1.1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2.52 |
| A. Puk(H, 15) | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2.83 |
| K. Ginkel | 0.2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3.29 |
PITCHING
- Pitches-Strikes – M. Black 70-39, S. Hjelle 23-14, T. Rogers 18-11, E. Miller 22-14, C. Doval 13-11, S. Bivens 27-20
- Ground Balls-Fly Balls – M. Black 5-2, S. Hjelle 4-1, T. Rogers 2-0, E. Miller 2-0, C. Doval 1-0, S. Bivens 1-2
- Batters Faced – M. Black 17, S. Hjelle 6, T. Rogers 3, E. Miller 5, C. Doval 3, S. Bivens 6
PITCHING
- Pitches-Strikes – Z. Gallen 97-61, J. Martinez 28-17, A. Puk 16-10, K. Ginkel 10-8
- Ground Balls-Fly Balls – Z. Gallen 6-0, J. Martinez 2-0
- Batters Faced – Z. Gallen 22, J. Martinez 7, A. Puk 3, K. Ginkel 3