Giants Beat Diamondbacks 4-1 To Win First Road Series
PHOENIX (AP) — Johnny Cueto pitched effectively into the seventh inning, Alex Dickerson homered and had two RBIs, and the San Francisco Giants won their first road series by beating the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-1 on Sunday.
Cueto was sharp in his last start before the trade deadline, allowing a run on three hits in 6 2/3 innings.
Dickerson hit a solo homer in the first inning and lined a run-scoring single in the eighth off Archie Bradley after the Giants put two on against Stefan Crichton (2-2). Evan Longoria followed with a two-run single and Tyler Rogers (2-3) worked a perfect bottom half to push the Giants to their ninth win in 12 games.
Eduardo Escobar homered and Taylor Clarke allowed one hit in five innings for Arizona. The Diamondbacks had three hits to lose for the 10th time in 11 games.
Cueto, who has one year and a club option left on his contract, has been the subject of trade speculation heading into Monday's deadline.
The right-hander put on a show against the Diamondbacks, using his vast repertoire of wind-up quirks to get them to hit one weak ball after another. Escobar legged out an infield single in the second inning and, after Cueto retired the next 11 batters, hit a solo homer to right to tie the game at 1-all in the seventh. Cueto struck out six.
Clarke was just as good.
The right-hander pitched well in an emergency start against Colorado on Monday, allowing an earned run on two hits in four innings.
Clarke had limited opposing hitters to 1 for 18 this season on his changeup, but he left one up in the first inning and Dickerson hit it out for a long solo home run.
Clarke settled into a rhythm after that, limiting the Giants to one hit and two baserunners before being replaced by Kevin Ginkel in the sixth inning. Clarke matched a career high with seven strikeouts.
TRAINING TABLE
Giants: LHP Drew Smyly (finger), RHP Jeff Samardzija (shoulder) and OF Austin Slater (groin) are expected to head to San Francisco's alternate training site this week to begin their rehabs.
Diamondbacks: LHP Madison Bumgarner, out since leaving his Aug. 9 start with back spasms, threw a simulated game Saturday night that manager Torey Lovullo said was "solid." ... Arizona is hoping RHP Andrew Chafin will be cleared to return on Monday. He's been on the injured list with a left finger sprain.
UP NEXT
Giants: No starter has been named for the opening game of a road series at Colorado on Tuesday.
Diamondbacks: LHP Alex Young (1-1, 4.70) is 2-0 with a 3.60 ERA his last five starts heading into Tuesday's series opener at the Los Angeles Dodgers.
