RICK EYMER
Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Marco Scutaro stepped into the batter’s box for the first time this year and was supported by a standing ovation.
It was a special moment, for sure, for the veteran second baseman. Scutaro played in his first game with San Francisco after missing the first half of the year because of a back problem.
“I’d say these are the best fans in the big leagues,” Scutaro said Saturday after the Giants lost 2-0 to the Arizona Diamondbacks. “They give you so much support through the good times and the bad times. It’s nice to play in this kind of atmosphere.”
Scutaro, a postseason star for the Giants in their run to the 2012 championship, drew a walk in his first at bat and went 0 for 3 overall.
“It’s nice to be on the field again,” Scutaro said. “Unfortunately we didn’t win the game.”
The Giants are hoping his return is the start of getting a full lineup back. Angel Pagan is on the mend from back inflammation and could return soon after the All-Star break.
“I thought he looked fine,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. “It looked like he saw the ball well.”
His appearance still couldn’t stop the Giants from being shut out for the fifth time in 13 games.
“It’s almost impossible to play the way we’ve been playing for six months,” Scutaro said. “It’s not a sprint. It’s a marathon. Our time is going to come sooner or later. We need to stay strong and keep fighting.”
Wade Miley (5-6) allowed four hits and won his second straight start for the first time since early April. He has given up three runs over his past 22 2-3 innings.
Brad Ziegler worked the eighth, and Addison Reed pitched the ninth for his 21st save in 26 chances.
Ryan Vogelsong (5-7) gave up two runs and six hits in 6 1-3 innings.
“I’m sure he’s frustrated,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. “He had a quality start, good stuff. I wish we could have gotten him some runs. He really threw the ball well.”
Vogelsong has lost his last four starts despite a 2.19 ERA. The Giants have been shut out in each of his last three starts and given him no support in his last 24 2-3 innings.
“It’s kind of crazy that it keeps happening to me,” said Vogelsong, who pitched despite a bad cold. “You just keep fighting and come out the other side.”
Miley permitted one hitter — Brandon Belt, who singled and walked twice — to reach third base, and that came with two outs in the seventh.
“I couldn’t throw him a strike,” Miley said. “I wish I didn’t walk him.”
Miley gave up one leadoff hit, and then promptly picked off Gregor Blanco in the fifth.
“That pickoff hurt,” Bochy said. “We were trying to bunt him over to second, maybe put a little more pressure on the pitcher with some good hitters coming up. He has a good move and got him.”
NOTES: LHP Madison Bumgarner (9-7, 3.36) pitches for the Giants on Sunday. He is on a three-game losing streak after giving up a season-high six runs in his last start. … Giants SS Brandon Crawford was given the day off. . Vogelsong became the first Giants pitcher with no run support over four consecutive starts in the same season since Lynn McGlothen in 1977. … Giants OF Michael Morse matched his season-best, nine-game hitting streak with a single in the fourth.
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