Diamondbacks 4, Giants 3: Bullpen holds it together, but just barely

Other than an intentional HBP of Goldschmidt in the top of the first, neither team really did much. The Giants really got the night started in the second off Robbie Ray. With one out, Eduardo Nunez got a infield single that bounced off Robbie Ray to Chris Owings. Ray then proceeded to walk Marrero and Panik to load the bases. Thankfully, that brought the Giants starting pitcher, Jeff Shwarma-eater to the plate, and, as you would hope, he was an easy out. That left the bases loaded for Gorkys Hernandez. He hit the ball just about as far as he could without it being a grand slam. Tomas caught it and ended the inning.

The Diamondbacks didn’t take the threat lightly, and lit up the scoreboard in the top of the third. Ray lead it off with a single, which was quickly followed by an A. J. Pollock single. Peralta struck out, but Goldy took a five pitch walk to load the bases for Jake Lamb. He hit a ball to deep left-center field that got away from Hernandez. It cleared the bases and they gave Lamb a triple for his effort. Both Tomas and Drury grounded out, but the damage had been done. 3-0 Diamondbacks

After that, both pitchers really settled in and it became a complete pitcher’s duel. Neither team truly threatened against the starting pitchers again, though they both managed runners on first and second one more time against each. For the Giants, they got it in the bottom of the third, thanks to a Hunter Pence walk and a Nick Hunley single. The Diamondbacks got it in the fifth after Lamb walked and Yasmany Tomas singled. Other than that, Ray and Samardzija cruised. Shark’s final line was 6.2 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 4 BB, and 7 K. Ray’s line was similar: 6.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 5 BB, 8 K. If you could choose, you probably would use a different process, but you can’t argue with the results either.

After that, it went to the bullpen. The Diamondbacks added another run in the eighth off Neil Ramirez to extend their lead to 4-0. Turns out that was a good thing, because the Diamondbacks bullpen, specifically Jorge de la Rosa and Fernando Rodney, wasn’t quite as successful as Ray was.

De la Rosa gave up a run, and let the tying run come to the plate. It got even more “exciting” when Fernando Rodney came on to preserve the three run lead. Hunter Pence drew a one out walk. Aaron Hill struck out, bringing Hundley to the plate. Pence went to second on defensive indifference, which proved unfortunate when Hundley doubled him home. Nunez, representing the tying run, singled Hundley home. Brandon Crawford came off the bench, and went to the plate as the potential tying run. Rodney got him to strike out, saving the win, and tying the series at one game a piece.

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No suitable Sedona Red comments tonight, so I’m going to skip the CotN. See you all back here tomorrow for the rubber game of the series