Diamondbacks at Giants
Mired in a season-long slump, Arizona Diamondbacks star first baseman Paul Goldschmidt appears to warming up with the weather. One day after recording his first three-hit game since April 26, Goldschmidt looks to build on the performance Wednesday when the Diamondbacks face the host San Francisco Giants in the rubber match of the three-game series.
Goldschmidt has raised his average to .220 by reaching base safely in 14 of his last 15 games for the Diamondbacks, who spoiled the season debut of Madison Bumgarner with Tuesday’s 3-2 victory. Infielder Ketel Marte doubled during the team’s two-run second inning and is 7-for-17 with three doubles, two triples, two homers and six RBIs during his five-game hitting streak. The Giants saw their five-game winning streak come to an end despite a strong outing from Bumgarner, who allowed two runs over six innings in his first game since breaking the pinkie on his pitching hand during spring training. Center fielder Gorkys Hernandez went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts and is 3-for-25 over his last seven games.
TV: 3:45 p.m. ET, Facebook Watch
PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Clay Buchholz (1-1, 1.50 ERA) vs. Giants RH Chris Stratton (7-3, 4.50)
Buchholz recorded his first win since Sept. 21, 2016 by holding Miami to one run with nine strikeouts over seven innings last Friday. The 33-year-old native Texan signed with the Diamondbacks in May and has pitched at least five innings and allowed one run in each of his first three starts. Evan Longoria has 11 hits in 50 at-bats with 17 strikeouts against Buchholz, who is making his second career appearance against San Francisco.
Stratton completed six innings for the first time since May 4 with a strong outing last Friday, giving up four hits over six scoreless innings in a 4-0 win over Philadelphia. The 27-year-old native of Mississippi had allowed 24 earned runs over 27 innings in his previous six starts but only allowed two runners to reach second base in last Friday’s victory. Jake Lamb is 0-for-7 with three strikeouts against Stratton, who is 1-1 with a 2.63 ERA in four career starts against Arizona.
WALK-OFFS
1. San Francisco starting pitchers haven't allowed more than two runs in the last five games.
2. Arizona optioned Jake Barrett to Triple-A Reno and recalled fellow RHP Silvino Bracho.
3. The Giants optioned RHP Pierce Johnson to Triple-A Sacramento to make room for Bumgarner.