PHOENIX -- Brandon Belt presented his mother, Janice, with the ball he hit for his 100th career home run on Wednesday to help the Giants outlast the Arizona Diamondbacks, 4-2.
After all, a special person deserves a reminder of a special milestone.
"Hopefully the next 100 will come around a lot quicker," Belt said.
Numerous other Giants deserved to write home to Mom after they ended the club's four-game losing streak.
The canny cast of characters included Chris Stratton, who surrendered one run in seven innings; the relievers, who combined to leave seven runners on base in the final four innings; and Evan Longoria, who smacked a two-run homer to break a scoreless tie in the sixth and continued to prove that he really is ready to regain his status as an offensive force.

Start with the pitching, which was airtight. Stratton set the pace by allowing just five hits, walking none and striking out eighth. He's virtually certain to maintain a spot in the starting rotation even after Madison Bumgarner, Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija return from their respective injuries.
"He's one of our guys," manager Bruce Bochy said of Stratton.

Tony Watson coaxed a key double play in the eighth, shrugging off allowing his first run of the year and absorbing the defeat in Tuesday's series opener. Hunter Strickland allowed a ninth-inning run, but got the game to extra innings. Cory Gearrin also allowed a run, but contained the D-backs in the 10th, earning the save.

This roller coaster trend also affected the defense. Center fielder Austin Jackson missed a try for a shoestring catch on Paul Goldschmidt's leadoff drive in the ninth, but atoned for it by running down Daniel Descalso's drive later in the inning.
SOUND SMART
Belt's most famous extra-inning homer occurred in the 18th inning of Game 2 of the 2014 National League Division Series at Washington.
UP NEXT
Ty Blach will make his fifth start of the season on Thursday at 6:40 PT when the Giants conclude their series against the D-backs. Blach will oppose Arizona ace Zack Greinke, who has an uncharacteristic ERA of 5.29 entering the start.