D-Backs Lack of Offense Bites Again in 4-2 Loss vs Giants

The game started off great as the Arizona Diamondbacks jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning against San Francisco Giants ace Logan Webb. Geraldo Perdomo led it off with a single, stolen base, and got to third on an errant throw by catcher Patrick Bailey. Corbin Carroll drove in Perdomo via an RBI ground-out. Lourdes Gurriel had a ground-rule double, showing that his bat is finally rounding back into form after a disastrous last two months. Jace Peterson got his first RBI as an Arizona Diamondback.

The Stage was set for Slade Cecconi to make his MLB debut with an early lead taking the pressure off his shoulders. Slade had a memorable first career strikeout to lead off the bottom of the first. At first, it was ruled an HBP, but upon review, it was determined the ball hit the knob of the bat, and thanks to Jose Herrera catching the ball with his groin/gut, Lamonte Wade JR. Slade had a solid first inning with a walk and two strikeouts. Cecconi didn't pitch like a rookie making his debut at all.

He continued his string of excellence until the fourth inning when he gave up his first hit. Unfortunately, the game began to spiral as he gave up three hits in a row and the Giants tied the game at two. Torey trusted the bullpen and took Cecconi out after 4 2/3 innings and 59 pitches. It was an odd decision just because of the pitch count, but clearly, Torey wanted to get him out on a good note and not have him face the Giants a third time through the order. He did well with only four hits allowed, 2 runs, one walk, and two strikeouts. Tyler Gilbert came in and finished the inning off.

Meanwhile, the offense failed to do anything from the second to the seventh. They had one base runner and Logan Webb continued his dominance against the Snakes as he shut down 10 in a row at one point. He finished it with 7 good innings shutting down the Diamondbacks' porous bats.

Tyler Gilbert wound up taking the loss in the sixth inning when he was ambushed repeatedly by Giants hitters. They had four hits and two more runs before Torey could get Tyler out. The one concerning factor was why the Diamondbacks chose to throw a strike to JD Davis who has 26 RBI on the year on the first pitch of his at-bat.

Scott McGough and Joe Mantiply finished the game strong, allowing no runs and only one base runner. The Giants bullpen shut the door on the Arizona offense as Camilo Doval got his 32nd save.

The Arizona Diamondbacks now go down another game in the crucial wild card standings, Arizona is now just 5 games over .500 and is a game back of the Brewers, Marlins, and three games back of the Giants for the first Wild Card position. To make matters more pressing, the season series is now tied 5-5 between San Francisco and the Diamondbacks. This could wind up crucial due to just how tight the standings are, as tie breaker rules could come into play.

In the end, the Diamondbacks just couldn't get out of their own path. They failed to do much of anything on offense after the first. This has become a disturbing trend as the team continues to struggle massively on offense. Perhaps tomorrow will change as trade acquisition Tommy Pham joins the team.

The positives are few tonight, but at least Lourdes Gurriel Jr. looks to be heating up with another multi-hit day and Slade Cecconi had a strong first game.

Tomorrow is the series finale, as the Arizona Diamondbacks will look to split the series. Brandon Pfaadt is on the mound versus the Giants who will be having yet another bullpen game. The hope remains that the hibernating offense will wake up with a venomous bite sometime soon, hopefully tomorrow in what is shaping up to be a crucial game.