D-backs post second straight shutout of Giants
SAN FRANCISCO -- Patrick Corbin stifled Giants hitters over seven innings and the D-backs struck for three runs in the first two frames as Arizona cruised to a 6-0 win over San Francisco on Saturday afternoon at AT&T Park.
Corbin, who shut out the Giants over six innings in a D-backs win at Chase Field on Sept. 7, kept San Francisco off the scoreboard again Saturday. The left-hander allowed five hits and struck out five without walking a batter. He also completed at least six frames for the fourth consecutive start.
"It was great to get out there for the seventh and get deeper in the ballgame," Corbin said. "Everything was working, the changeup was probably the best it's been. They're aggressive, so early on that helped a lot. I had some quick innings there. I just kept the pitch count down."
Video: ARI@SF: Peralta puts D-backs up early with a single
Mike Leake was unable to build off his first win as a Giant, being pulled after the third. He allowed three runs on eight hits and a walk with no strikeouts. San Francisco, which was held scoreless for the second straight night, fell to nine games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West standings.
"I just couldn't get it going," said Leake, who made his shortest start since Sept. 24, 2013, against the Mets. "They got me early and I just couldn't react fast enough."
Video: ARI@SF: Perez makes a leaping catch in left field
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Crawford keeps his cool: The Giants' shortstop, who missed 15 games over the past month with oblique and calf injuries, showed he put those ailments behind him when he awkwardly contorted his body to make a diving stop in the fourth inning.
"He's so gifted defensively," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said of Crawford, who made his second straight start. "It's always good to get your guys out there. He's a big reason for our success so it's nice to see him healthy."
Winning by the bay: AT&T Park was once a house of horrors for the D-backs, but they have won six straight games there, setting a club record. The D-backs have 11 wins against the Giants this season, second most in franchise history. Arizona won 12 games against San Francisco in 2001 and '02.
"Our pitching has been really good in this ballpark," D-backs manager Chip Hale said. "And we need to continue it tomorrow and continue it on the road trip." More >
Cain's comeback: Matt Cain made an appearance for the first time since he was activated from the disabled list on Sept. 10. He allowed one run in an inning while walking two and striking out two. The right-hander also gave up one hit, looking better mechanically than he did before his DL stint, though the results didn't necessarily show it.
"I know he was probably chipping a little rust off," Bochy said of Cain. "You're not going to be as sharp as you normally are when you take that long a layoff, but it's good to see him out there. If he hadn't thrown 30-plus pitches, I would have let him go another inning." More >
Video: ARI@SF: Cain fans Gosselin in the 6th
Corbin on track: After missing all of 2014 and the first three months of this season following Tommy John surgery, things have gone about as well as the D-backs could have hoped with Corbin. In his last five starts, he has a 1.44 ERA and appears to be finishing the season strong.
"My elbow feels great," Corbin said. "I haven't had an issue with that ever since I've come back. It seems like the last six or so starts, my arm is catching up, my body is getting used to doing this again. The season is coming to an end, but I wish I had a bunch more [starts]."
SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
Every game this year for the D-backs has been started by a pitcher under 30 years years of age. The last time the D-backs had a pitcher 30 years of age or older make a start was Brandon McCarthy on July 3, 2014, a span of 233 straight starts.
UPON FURTHER REVIEW
With one out and a runner on first in the top of the fourth, D-backs outfielder Ender Inciarte hit a ground ball to the right of shortstop Brandon Crawford who was moving to cover second. Crawford recovered and made a nice play to throw to first base. Inciarte was called out by first-base umpire Ron Kulpa, but the call was overturned after the D-backs challenged it.
Video: ARI@SF: Perez makes a leaping catch in left field
WHAT'S NEXT
D-backs: Jeremy Hellickson (9-9, 4.78 ERA) will start the series finale Sunday afternoon at AT&T Park. The right-hander lasted just one inning in his last start as he allowed three runs in a 10-3 loss to the Padres. First pitch is at 1:05 p.m. MST.
Giants: Tim Hudson (7-8, 4.42 ERA) takes the mound for the Giants on Sunday. Hudson makes his third start since returning from the disabled list on Sept. 1, despite battling hip issues in his last outing. First pitch is at 1:05 p.m. PT.
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