D-backs pounce early to back Webster
SAN FRANCISCO -- The Arizona Diamondbacks again muted the San Francisco Giants' offense, limiting the reigning World Series champions to four hits Saturday in a 4-2 victory.
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Right-hander Allen Webster, making his D-backs debut, no-hit San Francisco until Joe Panik doubled with one out in the sixth inning. The Giants scored twice off Webster, who lasted 5 2/3 innings, but it wasn't enough as San Francisco's home losing streak grew to seven games.
"He had great movement on the sinker today," D-backs pitching coach Mike Harkey said of Webster. "He mixed in a good changeup, pitched inside well to the lefties, did some good things."
Arizona took immediate control against Giants starter Ryan Vogelsong, who yielded four runs and six hits in 3 2/3 innings. Vogelsong said he never felt comfortable, particularly when pitching from the stretch position.
"I tried to make adjustments and I couldn't put it together," he said.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Early runs: After the first two hitters of the game made outs on six pitches, the D-backs went to work on Vogelsong. The D-backs worked the count, drawing four walks (including two with the bases loaded) and collecting two hits as part of a three-run inning that gave Webster a lead to work with. By the end of the inning, Vogelsong's pitch count was 39.
Video: ARI@SF: Ahmed draws a walk to force in a run
"That's our scouting report, that he does try to attack the corners, and he just wasn't himself early," D-backs manager Chip Hale said. "He wasn't able to get the ball on those corners, so guys did a nice job of letting him throw pitches and getting on base."
Right down Broadway: After spending 11 years toiling in the Minors for four organizations, Giants right-hander Mike Broadway finally made his big league debut, pitching a scoreless seventh inning for the Giants. Broadway struck out the first batter he faced, Jake Lamb, on three pitches. More >
Video: ARI@SF: Broadway fans Lamb for first MLB strikeout
Webster finds groove: Webster appeared to have some jitters in the first inning as he allowed a pair of walks. But after a mound visit by Harkey, Webster got Brandon Belt to fly out, which started a streak of 14 straight batters retired.
"Just told him to use his sinker more in the middle of the plate, because starting it on the black, it's never a strike, so hitters won't swing at it, you won't get many swings that way," Harkey said. "He made a good adjustment." More >
Video: ARI@SF: Webster hurls 5 1/3 no-hit frames in debut
Brief shining moment: Buster Posey concluded the Giants' scoring with a sixth-inning, two-out RBI double, the kind of hit they've lacked during their skid. Posey's hitting .353 (12-for-34) with seven RBIs during an eight-game hitting streak. More >
Video: ARI@SF: Posey pounds an RBI double down the line
WHAT'S NEXT
D-backs: Rubby De La Rosa will get the start for the D-backs in Sunday's series finale against the Giants. De La Rosa is coming off a rough outing against the Dodgers in which he allowed a pair of three-run homers.
Giants: Manager Bruce Bochy said Posey and center fielder Angel Pagan will be rested in Sunday's 1:05 p.m. PT series finale, though both are likely to pinch-hit if necessary. Third baseman Casey McGehee, who delivered a pinch-hit single Saturday, is a leading candidate to get a spot start.
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