The Giants exploited shaky Arizona pitching to score four runs in the seventh inning and rode a three-hitter by Tyler Anderson to score a 5-1 win over the Diamondbacks Saturday evening at Oracle Park.
It was the first complete game of Anderson’s career, the first of the season for the San Francisco, and only the eighth in the National League this season.
The win was the Giants fifth straight after a five game losing streak and moved them within a game of third place Colorado in the NL West.
But with Gallen removed from the game after throwing 95 pitches thru six innings, the DBacks were betrayed by their bullpen. Matt Grace (0-1) gave up a pinch hit double to Joey Bart sandwiched by a pair of walks without recording an out before Junior Guerra walked the first two batters he faced to give San Francisco a 3-1 lead. An RBI fielders choice by Donovan Solano and a single by Belt after another pitching change would stretch the lead to 5-1.
The two teams are back at it Sunday afternoon at 1:10 PM with Trevor Cahill (0-0, 1.59) going for the sweep against Arizona’s Luke Weaver (1-3, 9.16).
About Daniel Gluskoter
Daniel Gluskoter is the Martinez Tribune's national music and sports editor and a Bay Area photojournalist who's work has been featured in Rolling Stone, Time Magazine and Sports Illustrated. He covered the 2008 Presidential campaign as a correspondent for United Press International and has travelled worldwide covering events ranging from numerous Super Bowls and Olympics to Live Aid and the Grammys.