Rookie Fletcher stays hot with homer, triple as D-backs beat Giants 7-2
Rookie Dominic Fletcher hit a two-run homer and a go-ahead, bases-clearing triple for five RBIs, Zac Gallen pitched 7 2/3 strong innings and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the San Francisco Giants 7-2 on Saturday night.
Fletcher has been swinging a hot bat since being called up for his first big-league action in late April, hitting .457 in 35 at-bats.
He hit his first MLB homer on Friday and followed that up with a clutch triple in the sixth inning on Saturday, ripping a line drive into the right-center gap that scored Josh Rojas, Ketel Marte and Christian Walker and pushed the D-backs up 4-1.
That was enough run support for Gallen (6-1), who continues to be one of the best pitchers in the National League. The right-hander gave up two runs on five hits, striking out six and walking two. He now has a 2.35 ERA.
Fletcher added a two-run homer in the eighth, which just cleared the right field wall over a leaping Michael Conforto. The umpires initially ruled that it didn't clear the fence, but replay confirmed it was a homer.
Fletcher has nine RBIs over his past two games.
Giants right-hander Anthony DeSclafani (3-3) was cruising with five scoreless innings until his trouble in the sixth. He gave up three runs. San Francisco reliever Scott Alexander surrendered Fletcher's crucial triple.
Casey Schmitt and Conforto both had two hits for San Francisco.
WHEELS
Marte scored from second base on a wild pitch in the eighth inning to give the D-backs a 5-2 lead.
Giants reliever Tristan Beck uncorked a pitch that bounced in front of home plate and took a big hop toward the D-backs' dugout. Marte already got a good jump from second base and just kept going once he realized how far the ball had bounced.
MAKING MOVES
Giants: IF Darin Ruf cleared waivers and elected to become a free agent. The veteran was designated for assignment earlier this week.
UP NEXT
The teams wrap up their four-game series on Sunday. The D-backs will send rookie RHP Brandon Pfaadt (0-1, 12.10 ERA) to the mound. The Giants will counter with RHP Logan Webb (3-5, 3.46 ERA).
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports