Diamondbacks can’t get much run support for Ray in loss to Giants
Jul 9, 2016, 5:03 PM
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Robbie Ray delivers against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning of baseball game on Saturday, July 9, 2016, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/D. Ross Cameron)
(AP Photo/D. Ross Cameron)
SAN FRANCISCO — Brandon Belt had an RBI triple, Grant Green homered for the first time this season and the San Francisco Giants got a big lift from the bullpen in a 4-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday.
Angel Pagan added two hits and Ruben Tejada doubled in a run for the Giants, who have won seven of nine and are a major league-best 56-33.
George Kontos (2-1), one of five relievers used by manager Bruce Bochy after starter Jake Peavy was knocked out of the game in the fifth, retired four batters for the win.
The Giants’ bullpen, which began the day tied with Cincinnati with a major league-worst 17 blown saves, combined for 4 2/3 scoreless innings. Santiago Casilla pitched the ninth for his 21st save.
That helped San Francisco to its second straight home win over Arizona after getting swept in a four-game series at AT&T Park in April.
Arizona’s Robbie Ray (4-8) gave up three runs and six hits in five innings in his third start against San Francisco this season. He struck out seven and walked three.
Pagan singled with two outs in the third then had to be checked by a team trainer after getting hit in the back of the head by the ball while stealing second base. Belt followed with his triple to right-center.
The Diamondbacks took the lead with four consecutive hits to open the fourth before Green’s two-run home run in the bottom of the inning put the Giants ahead 3-2.
Tejada doubled in Gregor Blanco in the sixth.
Peavy was knocked out of the game after walking Paul Goldschmidt with one out in the fifth. He allowed two runs and seven hits with three strikeouts and one walk.
Goldschmidt had two hits while Yasmany Tomas and Brandon Drury each drove in a run for Arizona.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Diamondbacks: RHP Zack Greinke was expected to throw after the game for the first time since going on the disabled list with a strained left oblique last week. … RHP Daniel Hudson was activated off the bereavement list as planned.
Giants: RHP Matt Cain will make one more rehab start in the minors before rejoining the big league club. Bochy indicated Cain will likely pitch in a two-game series in Boston on July 19-20 but did not say which game. … INF Kelby Tomlinson (left thumb sprain) is continuing his rehab with Triple-A Sacramento.
UP NEXT
Diamondbacks: RHP Archie Bradley (3-4) starts the series finale Sunday. Bradley has pitched better on the road than at home but is winless in two career starts against the Giants.
Giants: LHP Madison Bumgarner (9-4), who was voted in but will not pitch in the All-Star game, goes for San Francisco. Bumgarner’s 2.09 ERA is second-lowest in the majors among qualifiers.
