PHOENIX (AP) — Zac Gallen struck out 11 in six innings, pinch hitter Pavin Smith hit a three-run homer and the Arizona Diamondbacks ended a three-game losing streak with an 8-2 win over the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday night.
Arizona needed a rebound after a losing streak that included a blown eight-run lead in a loss to Milwaukee and Tuesday’s lackluster 11-0 loss to the Giants.
The Diamondbacks responded behind a strong performance from their ace and are .001 behind the New York Mets for the second of three National League wild cards, a game ahead of Atlanta. The Braves and Mets had to postpone the final two games of their series until a Monday doubleheader due to Hurricane Helene.
“These matter big-time, I think we had to prove to ourselves to get back on track,” Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker said. “We had to find a little confidence, a little swagger.”
Gallen gave it to them.
The right-hander gave up a run-scoring double to Tyler Fitzgerald in the second inning, but shut the Giants down after that. Gallen (14-6) retired 12 straight starting in the second inning and struck out the side in the fifth.
“That’s probably the best I’ve felt in a while,” said Gallen, who allowed a run on two hits with two walks to win his fifth straight decision. “Everything seemed to work, for the most part, and executed a good game plan.”
Arizona’s offense also came back to life after Tuesday’s letdown, chasing Giants starter Mason Black (1-5) by the third inning. Gabriel Moreno had two RBIs and Smith put the game out of reach in the eighth by splashing a homer into the pool in right-center.
The Giants didn’t put up much of a fight a night after blowing the Diamondbacks out, striking out 17 times to end a 7-1 run against playoff contenders.
“We’ve got to put it in play a little bit more,” Giants manager Bob Melvin said.
Black earned first big league victory by tossing 5 2/3 scoreless innings against Kansas City last Friday.
He wasn’t nearly as sharp against the Diamondbacks.
Fighting control issues, Black gave up run-scoring singles by Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Moreno in the second inning, before Corbin Carroll added a sacrifice fly. Black walked three in the third inning, including Moreno with the bases loaded, to put Arizona up 4-1.
Black allowed four runs on five hits with five walks in 2 2/3 innings.
“Walks always kill,” Black said. “Mechanically, I just felt out of synch out there.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Diamondbacks: RHP Paul Sewald threw a short bullpen session as he works his way back from a neck/shoulder issue.
UP NEXT
Giants: San Francisco has not named a starter for Friday’s opener of a three-game series against St. Louis.
Diamondbacks: Arizona has yet to name a starter for the opener of a three-game series against San Diego on Friday.
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This story has been updated to correct the name Arizona pinch hitter to Pavin Smith, instead of Gavin.
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