There's been lots of talk of San Francisco's terrific 1-2 punch in the starting rotation, but the offense comes out strong again in their second game against Arizona. This time it aids them in an 8-4 victory. Five of their eight runs came in the fifth inning. After Brandon Crawford launched a home run out of right field, starting pitcher Johnny Cueto both brought in a run and was able to circle the bases and reach home to put up a crooked number on the scoreboard. Despite a late two-run shot by their opponent, the giants held on for the win.
Giants stroll to victory on offense
San Francisco opened the game with a 3-0 start in the first three innings. Leadoff hitter Gorkys Hernandez singled to deep right while driving in two runs in the second inning. He reeled in two more runs for a total of four RBIs on the night during the fifth-inning frolic that included Joe Panik and Cueto's run from first base. First baseman Brando Belt also reeled in an RBI after that to complete the scoring for the Giants.
Finally getting to the pitching, Cueto picked up the win despite giving up four earned runs on six hits in five innings. A position to bring in a pinch hitter got him out early, but he also threw 94 pitches at the time. Hunter Strickland came in for the closing moments this time around and sealed it up without any issues.
Diamondbacks pitching looks dismal in loss
First baseman Paul Goldschmidt and third baseman Jake Lamb are side-by-side in the batting order, and they proved to be a solid force with two hits and three RBIs combined. Second baseman Brandon Drury had a team-high three hits on the night. Despite the solid offense, it was the pitching that gave up 15 hits that doomed them.
Starting pitcher Patrick Corbin lasted just four innings for the Diamondbacks, giving up three runs on seven hits. Reliever Randall Delgado didn't do much afterward as he was drubbed with four earned runs and five hits in 28 pitches in the fifth inning.
The third game of this four-game set will take place on Wednesday night. First pitch at Chase Field is set at 9:40 PM Eastern time.
