Diamondbacks at Giants
After a disappointing opening week on the road, the San Francisco Giants are hoping a return to AT&T Park gets them going. The Giants are 2-5 heading into Monday’s home opener against the surprising Arizona Diamondbacks, who are heading out on the road for the first time after completing a three-game sweep of Cleveland over the weekend.
The Giants secured some much-needed momentum on Sunday as Johnny Cueto tossed seven strong innings and Mark Melancon recorded his first save in a 5-3 win over San Diego. Melancon, pitching for the first time since his blown save on Opening Day, worked around two baserunners in the ninth and induced a double-play ball from Wil Myers to end the game. The Giants are going to need improved results from their bullpen to slow down the Diamondbacks, whose 6-1 record matches the best seven-game start in franchise history. Chris Owings is 9-for-25 with a home run and four stolen bases for hot-hitting Arizona, which is beginning a 10-game road trip against the Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego.
TV: 4:35 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FSN Arizona, NBC Sports Bay Area (San Francisco)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Taijuan Walker (1-0, 6.00 ERA) vs. Giants LH Matt Moore (0-1, 5.06)
Walker allowed four runs in six innings but recorded seven strikeouts en route to winning his Diamondbacks debut against San Francisco on Wednesday. “Started off a little rough. Nerves. A little frustration. First start of the season,” Walker told reporters. “I was kind of amped up. The last three innings I thought were really good.” The 24-year-old is 2-0 with a 3.46 ERA in two career starts against the Giants.
Moore is matched up against Walker for the second time this season after allowing six runs - three earned - on eight hits and two walks in Wednesday’s 8-6 loss. The 27-year-old was acquired from Tampa Bay in August and went 4-2 with a 3.16 ERA in six starts last season at AT&T Park. Paul Goldschmidt is 5-for-11 with a home run against Moore, who owns a 2-2 mark and 4.01 ERA in four career turns versus the Diamondbacks.
WALK-OFFS
1. San Francisco has won 13 of its last 16 home openers.
2. Arizona plays its next 20 games against National League West opponents.
3. The Giants signed OF Melvin Upton Jr. and assigned him to Triple-A Sacramento.