McDonald's scoreless gem helps Giants snap winless streak vs. D-backs

PHOENIX – Trevor McDonald has been relentless, and it’s beginning to shine through.

If his performance in the Arizona desert is any indication, he’s just beginning to scratch the surface of unlocking his potential.

McDonald pitched six strong innings, Heliot Ramos homered and tripled in his fourth game back from a right quad strain, and the Giants defeated the Diamondbacks, 6-4, at Chase Field on Wednesday. The win marks San Francisco’s first in nine games against Arizona this season, and it also snapped a two-game losing streak.

The Giants have won five of their last nine games overall.

Wednesday was also the club’s first game since third baseman Matt Chapman was placed on the 10-day injured list with an abdominal strain, and it responded with contributions throughout the lineup. Ramos and Victor Bericoto each recorded two RBIs, while Jung Hoo Lee and Drew Cavanaugh each drove in one, giving McDonald more than enough offense in his first scoreless start of 2026.

Arizona’s only hit against McDonald came in the fourth inning, and he responded with three straight outs to remove any threat of danger.

“He's been relentless in the strike zone,” Giants manager Tony Vitello said. “It's about letting it work for you in the zone, and he certainly set the tone doing that today.”

McDonald’s dominance to begin July is a welcome sign for San Francisco, especially considering the third-year Major Leaguer posted a 5.73 ERA while allowing 14 earned runs in 22 June innings. The 25-year-old relied primarily on his sinker, which accounted for over half of his pitches, while he effectively mixed in his slider and changeup.

McDonald threw 90 pitches, 53 for strikes, while earning his third win of the season and first since May 16. He kept Arizona’s lineup on its toes throughout the night and intentionally challenged the D-backs to put the ball in play.

When they did, the outs followed.

“I was just putting them in swing mode,” McDonald said. “They don't walk much. They don't strike out much either, so I was kind of just forcing them to be in play and get out that way.”

That plan of attack was enough to salvage one win in the desert, at least. Well, that, plus a surge of offense from Ramos, which is another great sign for San Francisco.

Ramos returned to the lineup on Sunday after missing 37 games, and it didn’t take long for the veteran outfielder to make an impact. The 26-year-old came just inches away from homering in back-to-back innings, but his Statcast-projected 373-foot line drive in the top of the sixth clipped the top of the wall before bouncing back into right field. He finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs.

“When I got to [Triple-A] Sacramento and played rehab games, I was mentally ready,” Ramos said of his recovery. “It's just a matter of me staying with the plan and staying consistent.”

The Diamondbacks strung together a late rally after McDonald exited the game, but relievers Erik Miller, Dylan Smith and Caleb Killian combined to ultimately keep Arizona’s hitters at bay. Ryan Walker was charged with all four runs and did not record an out.

Wednesday’s result was proof of just how effective McDonald can be when his relentlessness is on full display – not to mention his competitive drive.

“We were 0-8 against this team this year, so that was what was on my mind more than anything,” McDonald said after earning the win. “We really want a good second half, so that's our mindset and goal moving forward.”