Diamondbacks 2, Giants 6

If we had been hoping Tyler Skaggs could end the streak of forgettable outings by Diamondbacks starters, that didn't happen, as it took him six attempts to record an out in the top of the first, allowing four hits and a walk before he could do so. Two runs were in and the bases loaded with no outs: while Skaggs stopped the damage there, San Francisco scored further runs in the third, fourth and fifth, though a couple of poor defensive plays didn't help. Skaggs ended with a line of eight hits and three walks over five innings, with four strikeouts: he was charged with five runs.

The offense briefly threatened to make a game of it in the fourth, scoring two runs on an RBI hit by A.J. Pollock, and a balk, to pull within two, but that was as close as they could get. Jason Kubel had a pair of hits, and the Diamondbacks were outhit 12-6 by the Giants, who pulled within a game and a half of us for the lead in the NL West. Colorado are still playing San Diego, having scored three in the ninth to force extras, after blowing a four-run lead.

azshadowwalker will be along with the guest recap later. The Diamondbacks hit the road again, for a six-game sweep through southern California, starting with three games against the Dodgers tomorrow night. We face Clayton Kershaw for the third time, having beaten the Dodgers in his last two starts, and send Wade Miley to the mound.