It took only one swing to lift the Giants over the Diamondbacks. Good thing, too, because that’s about all the Giants’ lineup had in it.
LaMonte Wade Jr. uncorked a home run in the fourth inning, and another all-hands pitching staff made his solo shot enough.
Wade’s home run was one of just two hits the Giants (61-49) amassed. But they dispatched the Diamondbacks nonetheless, taking three of four in the intra-divisional series.
Six pitchers factored into San Francisco’s 1-0 victory over Arizona. From opener Scott Alexander to closer Camilo Doval, SF limited a dangerous D-Backs lineup to six total hits. The Giants are now 15-5 in games without a traditional starter.
“We’re playing good defense and our pitchers are keeping us in the game, which is always good,” Wade said postgame. “We’re going to have these ups and downs as an offense, but as long as we can play clean defense, I think we’ll be alright.”
Diamondbacks rookie Brandon Pfaadt struck out seven while allowing just three base runners in seven innings, learning the limitations of the win-loss statistic.
Pfaadt made just one mistake. But he made it to the wrong hitter.
Against Wade in a 2-2 count, Pfaadt left a 95.3 mph fastball over the middle of the plate. Wade turned on it, sending the pitch 396 feet and into the right-field concourse.
“His swing is looking violent again,” Kapler said postgame. “It’s kind of a measure of how he’s feeling. Oftentimes he goes up to the plate and is able to make a good at-bat, make good swing decisions, but his swing doesn’t quite look as violent when he’s not feeling his best and healthiest. Right now, he’s looking healthy and swinging the bat like the best version of LaMonte.”
Eight of Wade’s 11 homers this season have come on fastballs. He actually has a better batting average against breaking pitches, but has done the most damage on heaters.
It was Wade’s second home run of the Diamondbacks series. Before this week, he hadn’t homered since June 17. After Wednesday night’s game, manager Gabe Kapler said it would be hard to argue anyone but Wilmer Flores has been the Giants’ best all-around hitter. Flores might have Wade beat on consistency, but Wade certainly has a strong case.
Wade’s on-base percentage is hovering around .400, ranking in the top-10 of MLB. He’s blended power and patience to earn the Giants’ everyday first base role and become one of the most productive leadoff hitters in the sport.
Before almost every game, Wade works with Barry Bonds, who helps him visualize and mentally prepare. Perhaps more than any player on the team, Wade connects with Bonds and sees consistent results.
Beyond Wade on Thursday, though, the Giants remained stuck in the offensive doldrums that have trapped them for over a month. The first baseman’s homer was San Francisco’s only hit through six innings.
But just as consistently quiet the Giants’ order has been, their pitching staff has stepped up. Without a traditional starter, the Giants silenced Arizona’s lineup.
Alexander opened with a scoreless first inning, and Tristan Beck came in after him for four strong innings. The lanky rookie out of Stanford struck out three while allowing two hits.
Beck has had to make several adjustments to his approach and preparation routine. He’s been a starter his whole life, but is being used like most Giants starters this year: in a hybrid role.
“I think there is a case,” Kapler said when asked if there would be benefits to using Beck as a traditional starter. “But is there a case to let a guy kick ass and keep kicking ass in the role that he’s in because it’s good for him?”
After Beck, Kapler removed Sean Manaea after two outs, selecting Luke Jackson for a platoon advantage. It was clear that Beck, not Manaea, was — to use Kapler’s preferred term — the “featured” pitcher.
Jackson fanned three of the five batters he faced, bringing his season ERA to 1.38. He’s one of six core, traditional relievers who each have elite, playoff-ready ERAs.
Taylor Rogers pumped his left fist as he ducked out of a comebacker — and traffic jam on the base paths — to end the eighth inning.
Then, after the seventh hitless inning for the Giants, Doval took over. The fire-accented graphics and highlight package for his entrance don’t have quite the same effect at 2:43 p.m. as they do under the lights. And his stuff didn’t have quite the same results, either.
After striking out Tommy Pham, Doval nearly allowed a home run to slugger Christian Walker. His single left his bat at 104.9 mph and crashed into the left field wall. Another single put Walker into scoring position.
Doval got the second out on a fielder’s choice, but forgot to cover first on a double play chance — improbable as it might’ve been. Still, the tranquilo closer rebounded for the final out and his MLB-leading 33rd save.
AJ Pollock caught the final out in left field. All he’s known as a Giant is victories.