Giants 6, Diamondbacks 2
PHOENIX, May 11 —The San Francisco Giants took care of business in the first game of a four-game series with the Arizona Diamondbacks with a 6–2 victory. Alex Cobb and his masterful pitching, along with Casey Schmitt’s two-run home run, set the tone. It was a pleasant 88-degree first-pitch temperature at Chase Field with the roof open in downtown Phoenix.
Giants Take Early Lead
After a quiet first inning, Michael Conforto started the second with a walk, bringing up Casey Schmitt. He was called up for his major league debut on Tuesday and got the Giants on board with his second home run of the season. That home run traveled 443 ft with an exit velocity of 111.6 mph. Henry was able to get out of the inning after that. Giants 2, Diamondbacks 0.
In the bottom of the second, Christian Walker beat out an infield hit. Dominic Fletcher singled, and Walker moved to third. However, Gabriel Moreno grounded into an inning-ending double play. Giants 2, Diamondbacks 0.
Diamondbacks Turned Away
Cobb was masterful through five innings as the Diamondbacks could only get four hits. In the bottom of the sixth, after Alek Thomas and Geraldo Perdomo were the first two outs, Josh Rojas singled. Ketel Marte followed with a single as well. With runners on first and second, Pavin Smith came up but hit a fly ball to right field that Conforto put away for the third out. Giants 2, Diamondbacks 0.
Tommy Henry
Tommy Henry was removed in the top of the seventh with two outs and a runner on first. Scott McGough came in to pitch and got the third out. After a rough second inning, Henry settled in, but the offense could not generate any runs. He threw 97 pitches with 60 strikes.
Alex Cobb Gets Out of a Jam
In the bottom of the seventh, after Walker grounded out Lourdes Gurriel Jr. doubled, his ninth of the season, on a sharp line drive to center field. A wild pitch moved him to third. That followed with a walk to Moreno, but Thomas grounded out to end the inning.
Bottom of Eighth
Perdomo grounded out to start the bottom of the eighth. Rojas walked, and Cobb was removed after 104 pitches. He scattered seven hits and was helped out by Gabriel Moreno’s two double play balls. Right-hander Tyler Rogers came in and ended the inning when Marte hit into a double play.
Diamondbacks Implode
In the top of the ninth, Jose Ruiz came in to pitch. He surrendered a single to Davis, then a wild pitch moved him to second. Conforto walked, Schmitt doubled, and Davis scored. The Diamondbacks challenged the call on the field on a tag play. It was upheld and allowed LaMonte Wade Jr. to reach on a fielder’s choice as Schmitt scored.
With Conforto at third, Joey Bart singled to score Conforto and move Schmitt to third. Bart moved to third and Wade Jr. to second on a throwing error by Marte before Bryce Johnson hit a sacrifice fly to score Bart. Giants 6, Diamondbacks 0.
Giants Struggle but Close out the Ninth
Cole Waites replaced Rogers for the bottom of the ninth. He gave up a single to Smith followed by a walk to Walker. Gurriel grounded out, moving Smith to third and Walker to second. Fletcher singled, with Smith and Walker scoring.
Camilo Doval replaced Waites and got Moreno and Thomas to strikeout, ending the game in a non-save situation. Giants 6, Diamondbacks 2.
Torey Lovullo Comments
Manager Torey Lovullo said, “We could not get anything off Cobb.” “He is a very experienced pitcher, and he has been on a run lately.”
“We had a couple of chances to get some runs, but the double play ended those”. “I sent Tommy Henry out for the seventh.” “He was fantastic and his fastball was aggressive.” “The ninth inning we unraveled.” “I am proud to say we don’t play like that much”.
J.D. Davis Talks
After the game, J.D. Davis talked about Casey Schmitt and how he has started off since being called up. He said, “How energetic he is and what he has brought to us.” Davis mentioned, “Tommy Henry pitched well against us except for Schmitt.” He also said, “Henry is going to be one of the Diamondbacks top pitchers for years to come.”
Interesting Diamondbacks Notes
The Diamondback are one of four teams left not to be shut out this season. … After a slow start, Gurriel is hitting .356 in his last 25 games. … The Diamondbacks rank second in the majors in batting average, second in triples, and have the third fewest strikeouts. … The last seven games, the Diamondbacks are hitting .156 with 16 strikeouts while runners are in scoring position.
Interesting Giants Notes
The Giants are second in the NL in home runs, with 60% of their runs coming from the home run. … They are first in the NL in striking out and last in fielding percentage. In addition, they have the most errors in all of Major League Baseball.
The Giants and Diamondbacks will be back in action Friday at 6:40 pm. Ryne Nelson (1–2, 6.00 ERA) will be on the mound for the Diamondbacks. The Giants had not named a starter as of this writing, but it could be Alex Wood. The game will be on Bally Sports Arizona and NBC Sports Bay Area.
