San Francisco Giants beat Arizona Diamondbacks 8-5, win opening series

Apr 3, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants pitcher

throws in the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The San Francisco Giants and the Arizona Diamondbacks played the series finale on a sunny afternoon at Chase Field. With the Giants 2-1 up in the series, Tim Lincecum and Bronson Arroyo squared off. A five run inning, highlighted by Angel Pagan hitting a three-run-home-run was enough to see the Giants defeat the Diamondbacks 8-5.

First Inning

After a small bee delay, Bronson Arroyo took to the mound and A.J. Pollock returned to CF. After sitting down Angel Pagan and Gregor Blanco, Brandon Belt continued his Diamondback crushing. On a full count, Belt slashed one into the bullpen in right field, giving the Giants a 1-0 lead. The lead, however, was short lived. Paul Goldschmidt continued his Tim Lincecum crushing, hitting a two-run-shot to right centre field. Goldschmidt is now 11-21 off Lincecum with six home runs over his career. Lincecum ended the inning with a strikeout, to strand Mark Trumbo who hit a two-out-double.

Second Inning

Arroyo settled right back into the game in the second. Retiring the Giants with no trouble, stranding Brandon Crawford who yielded a two-out-walk. Defensive wizard Ehire Adrianza struck out to end the inning. Likewise, Lincecum had no problem settling back into his groove, striking out two to record a 1-2-3 inning.

Third Inning

Arroyo continued to pitch well. Despite allowing a one-out-single to Angel Pagan, a flyout from Gregor Blanco and ground ball from Brandon Belt allowed him to work out of the inning without even allowing a runner in scoring position. Anything you can do, I can do better, eh? Lincecum also retired the Diamondbacks with ease whilst picking up his fourth K.

Fourth Inning

The Giants came back into to the game in the fourth. A deep-sac-fly to centre field from Hector Sanchez, scored the tagging Pablo Sandoval. Brandon Crawfords second walk and stolen base was wasted, as Lincecum struck out, stranding two runners in scoring position. Lincecum continued to keep the score at 2, working through the fourth without any problems, recording his fifth K.

Fifth Inning

Arroyo exited the game after giving up a double to Angel Pagan, and left him on third base after Gregor Blanco’s’ bunt. Enter, Oliver Perez who worked effortlessly out of the jam. Brandon Belt popped out to Chris Owings, and Pablo Sandoval was sat down as the Giants stranded Pagan on third. Lincecum continued to look like his old, Cy Young self. In striking out Gerardo Parra to end the inning, he recorded his seventh K.

Sixth inning

Josh Collmenter took to the mound, and was in sharp form. Sitting down the Giants 1-2-3, partially due to Paul Goldschmidt flashing some leather at first base when retiring Pence. The deadlock was broken in the bottom half of the inning. Mark Trumbo launched a two-run-home run – the third of the game – to centre field to give the Diamondbacks a 4-2 lead.

Seventh Inning

Pinch hitting for pitcher Tim Lincecum, Brandon Hicks hit out a laser beam to left field. The solo shot making it a 4-3 game.David Huff then came into the game, making his first major league appearance in a Giants uniform, left the inning with two outs and a runner on first. Jean Machi entered to close the inning out but allowed a double to Aaron Hill, scoring the runner. Machi finished the inning with a good play to get Goldschmidt at first.

Eight Inning

After Hunter Pence was issued a walk, Hector Sanchez hit a double scoring Pence. With two outs, and pinch runner Juan Perez on second base, Posey came in to pinch hit. He was given an IBB, and then Mike Morse came in to pinch hit as well and he tied the game up with a single up the middle. With the score tied at five, and two on, Angel Pagan came up big. Smashing a three-run home run into the pool. Santiago Casilla take over mound duties, and recorded a 1-2-3 inning.

Ninth Inning

Ryan Rowland-Smith and Brad Ziegler combined to sit down the Giants in order to begin the inning. Santiago Casilla stayed in to retire the first two batters, before Javier Lopez was introduced to finish the game.