Diamondbacks at Giants
In addition to winning three straight games and four of their last five, the Arizona Diamondbacks might also have discovered a new hitter for the No. 2 spot in their lineup. Third baseman Jake Lamb will look to build on his promising start Wednesday as the Diamondbacks continue their four-game series against the host San Francisco Giants, who have dropped six of their last seven games.
Lamb was moved up in the order prior to the series, and his three extra-base hits in the first two games have helped Arizona add to its dominance at AT&T Park, where the Diamondbacks have won 10 of their last 12 games against the Giants. Arizona also has received some encouraging signs from Chris Owings, who has gone 4-for-7 over the last two games while starting in center field and could be on the verge of leaving his slow start behind. The Giants turn to ace Madison Bumgarner on Wednesday but need more production from regulars such as center fielder Denard Span and shortstop Brandon Crawford, who has five hits in his last 29 at-bats covering nine games. Third baseman Matt Duffy batted eighth in Tuesday’s 3-0 loss but snapped a 2-for-25 skid with two singles.
TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, FSN Arizona, CSN Bay Area (San Francisco)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Zack Greinke (0-2, 6.75 ERA) vs. Giants LH Madison Bumgarner (1-1, 4.50)
After two rough outings to begin the season, Greinke returned to form Friday against San Diego but received a no-decision after yielding two runs on six hits with five strikeouts and one walk in 7 1/3 innings. Buster Posey is 8-for-26 against the 2009 AL Cy Young award winner, who is 7-0 with 2.19 ERA in 10 career starts against the Giants. Greinke has been especially tough at AT&T Park, where he’s is 2-0 with 1.78 ERA in four outings.
The Giants committed three errors Friday and Bumgarner allowed seven runs (four earned) in five-plus innings in a 7-3 loss to the Dodgers. “He made a few mistakes, a few more than normal,” manager Bruce Bochy told reporters. “We just didn't play a clean game. That would have helped matters.” Bumgarner owns an 8-6 record and 2.54 ERA in 23 career games (22 starts) against the Diamondbacks, and he has struggled to contain first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (12-for-38, two home runs).
WALK-OFFS
1. Arizona starting pitchers have allowed one home run in their last nine games at AT&T Park.
2. San Francisco recalled LHP Steven Okert and RHP Michael Broadway from Triple-A Sacramento and placed RHP George Kontos on the 15-day disabled list with a flexor strain.
3. The Diamondbacks optioned RHP Archie Bradley to Triple-A Reno and recalled RHP Silvino Bracho.