Grit Index: D-backs leave 13 runners on base in loss to Giants

Sixteen of their hitters reached base on Saturday, but the Arizona Diamondbacks managed just three runs in their second straight loss to the San Francisco Giants, 4-3.

At their home park, the Giants took a first-inning lead that they never lost grip of, although the Diamondbacks seemingly had men on base every inning, including the ninth, when they scored their third and final run on a Martin Prado flare single to right field.

Starting pitcher Wade Miley lasted just four innings, as manager Kirk Gibson opted to use Eric Chavez to pinch hit with men on the corners in the fifth — a move that ultimately resulted in a run.

Josh Collmenter gave up a two-run home run to 2012 NL MVP Buster Posey in the following frame and that was the finality of the Giants scoring.

Still, as Gibson said after the game, “We had opportunities; we didn’t capitalize on them.”

In all, the Diamondbacks left 13 runners on base.

One of those runners was Cody Ross who, in the eighth inning, singled to center field, over the glove of pitcher Sandy Rosario. Then, as Ross attempted to advance to second base, which was left unattended, home plate umpire Mike DiMuro granted the Giants ‘time’ with the ball still in the outfield, as Rosario was apparently stung by the hit.

The call resulted in Ross being sent back to first base, which upset Gibson, who said he had never seen time called while the ball was still in the outfield.

“Theoretically, you could hit the ball to the 421 mark out there (in the outfield) and they could call time and no one could go anywhere.

“That may have cost us a run.”

That — the inability to advance on the bases — was the story of the Diamondbacks’ night.

The Good:

J.J. Putz, Will Harris, and David Hernandez held the Giants scoreless after the fifth inning, allowing just two hits in three innings of relief.

The Bad:

The Diamondbacks’ lead in the NL West is down to 0.5 games over the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Giants are now 4.5 games back; the Rockies, 3.5.

Noted:

-All-Star Paul Goldschmidt is 1-for-9 at the plate in his first two games since the break, going 1-for-5 Saturday with a bases-loaded groundout to end the fourth.

Up Next:

The D-backs and Giants close their three-game series Sunday at AT&T Park. Right-hander Randall Delgado (1-3, 3.92 ERA) will take the mound, opposing left-hander Madison Bumgarner (10-5, 3.02 ERA). Bumgarner is 4-3 with a 3.25 ERA in 69.1 innings pitched vs. the Diamondbacks. First pitch is at 1:05 PM on Arizona Sports 620.