Collmenter's shutout extends Giants' skid
SAN FRANCISCO -- Josh Collmenter established control immediately and strengthened his command as the evening progressed Friday, surrendering four hits in his second career shutout to lead the Arizona Diamondbacks past the San Francisco Giants, 9-0.
"It's fun when you have stuff working like that," Collmenter said. "For me, it was the fastball command. It was huge for me. I was able to move the ball in and out. Everything for me plays off of that."
Trouble continued for the defending World Series champion Giants, who endured their eighth consecutive loss and were shut out for the third time in that span. Right-hander Jake Peavy could not last past the fourth inning for the second time in as many starts, yielding four runs and eight hits in 3 2/3 innings. Afterward, it was announced that Peavy's troublesome back stiffened again and will require treatment.
"I wish we had a magic wand to wave right now, but we don't," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said.
Video: ARI@SF: Bochy on team's fight despite losing streak
Arizona amassed three runs in the third inning before scoring once in each of the next four frames to support Collmenter, who allowed only two baserunners after the third inning. Jake Lamb, who has 10 RBIs in nine career games against the Giants, contributed a two-run triple to the big third. Every Arizona starter except No. 8 hitter Nick Ahmed hit safely, and Collmenter helped his own cause with three hits.
Video: ARI@SF: Pollock collects four hits, RBI in win
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Collmenter going deep: One day after the D-backs used all seven relievers on the roster, Collmenter gave the bullpen a much-needed rest by working his second career complete game, the first in the Majors this season. It was also a good bounce-back outing for Collmenter, who had not been sharp in his first two starts of the year. More >
Video: ARI@SF: Collmenter throws shutout, gets three hits
Stopped at the top: When the Giants faced Collmenter in the season opener, their top three hitters -- Nori Aoki, Joe Panik and Angel Pagan -- went a remarkable 8-for-9 off him. This time was much different, as Aoki, Panik and Pagan combined for a pair of two-out singles and Panik's ninth-inning double.
Lamb caps productive third: It looked like Peavy might be able to limit the damage in the third inning to just one run when he got David Peralta for the second out of the inning. Lamb foiled those plans, though, when he blasted a two-run triple to right-center. The early lead helped take some pressure off Collmenter and he was able to settle in.
Video: ARI@SF: Lamb hits a two-out, two-run triple
QUOTABLE
"Yeah, the old saying, even a blind squirrel finds an acorn every once in a while. You just want to try to put the bat on the ball and make them make a play as opposed to going up there and looking at three pitches or swinging through stuff. I was fortunate enough to put them in the right places, I guess." -- Collmenter on his career-high three hits
Video: ARI@SF: Collmenter breaks down shutout performance
SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
Lamb has nine RBIs this year; all of them have come against the Giants.
WHAT'S NEXT
D-backs: Rubby De La Rosa will go for three straight wins when he starts for the D-backs on Saturday night at AT&T Park. One of the wins came against the Giants in the second game of the season.
Giants: Chris Heston is growing accustomed to high-profile appearances. His previous outing came in the Giants' home opener last Monday, when he surrendered two runs (one earned) in seven innings. Saturday, he'll make his third start of the season after the Giants receive their 2014 World Series rings.
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