Zac Gallen struck out 11 batters over six innings, and pinch hitter Pavin Smith hit a three-run homer as the Arizona Diamondbacks snapped their three-game losing streak with an 8-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday night.
Arizona needed to bounce back after a losing streak that included a blown eight-run lead in a loss to Milwaukee and a disappointing 11-0 defeat to the Giants the night before.
The Diamondbacks responded with a strong performance from their ace, tying the New York Mets in the National League wild card standings, while staying one game ahead of Atlanta. The Braves and Mets had to postpone their final two games until a doubleheader on Monday due to Hurricane Helene.
“These matter big-time, I think we had to prove to ourselves to get back on track,” Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker said. “We had to find a little confidence, a little swagger.”
Gallen provided that confidence.
The right-hander allowed a run-scoring double to Tyler Fitzgerald in the second inning but then shut down the Giants. Gallen (14-6) retired 12 batters in a row starting from the second inning and struck out all three batters he faced in the fifth.
“That’s probably the best I’ve felt in a while,” said Gallen, who gave up one run on two hits and walked two batters to earn his fifth straight win. “Everything seemed to work, for the most part, and executed a good game plan.”
Arizona’s offense came alive after the disappointing game on Tuesday, chasing Giants starter Mason Black (1-5) out of the game by the third inning. Gabriel Moreno had two RBIs, and Smith sealed the game in the eighth by hitting a homer into the pool in right-center.
The Giants did not put up much of a challenge after their big win the night before, striking out 17 times and ending a 7-1 run against playoff contenders.
