The Arizona Diamondbacks failed to secure their first sweep of the San Francisco Giants since 2008 as the Giants pounded the D-backs for an 8-1 victory. The Diamondbacks still won the series 2-1, but they now fall one game behind the Giants after moving into a tie following Tuesday's Game 2.
The Diamondbacks struggled on offense all game and mustered only two hits through the first six innings. The Giants, meanwhile, had offensive eruptions in the third and fifth innings, when they scored four runs in each to take a commanding 8-0 lead.
Arizona's two newly acquired pitchers both got playing time on Wednesday as Jason Marquis started and Brad Ziegler came in to relieve him. Unfortunately, neither had very good outings. Marquis surrendered eight runs off of 10 hits in fours innings.
Ziegler came in to replace him in the bottom of the fifth inning and allowed only one hit to Cody Ross, but unfortunately the double secured the Giants' final two runs of the game. Ziegler was replaced by Zach Duke, who gave up only one hit and no runs over the Giants' final three innings.
Though the Diamondbacks lost today, they did well in the series by taking the first two games. Arizona entered the Bay Area two games back of the Giants, and after this series they leave only one game back. A huge loss surely won't help the Diamondbacks' psyche, but they have to feel good about beating the Giants by a combined eight runs in their other two encounters. If this series is any indication, the NL West race could go right down to the wire.
The Diamondbacks are now 61-50, and they face the Los Angeles Dodgers next at home. Game 1 is set to start at 6:40 p.m. on Friday.