The Arizona Diamondbacks extended their winning streak against the San Francisco Giants to seven games with a 5-4 victory on Monday. The loss marks the Giants' seventh consecutive defeat against the National League West foe this season, a streak not seen against one opponent since 2010.
The Diamondbacks took an early lead in the first inning with a leadoff home run from Ketel Marte. The Giants managed to tie the game in the second inning with a squeeze bunt that scored Victor Bericoto. However, the tie was short-lived as the Diamondbacks rallied in the fifth.
Giants pitcher Tyler Mahle surrendered a walk and two singles to load the bases before being replaced by left-hander Sam Hentges. Geraldo Perdomo then hit a bases-clearing double, giving Arizona a 4-1 lead. Manager Tony Vitello's decision to bring in Hentges to face the switch-hitting Perdomo, who typically performs worse from the right side, backfired.
Nolan Arenado, who has a history of success against the Giants, extended Arizona's lead in the sixth inning with a solo home run, his 36th career blast against San Francisco. This proved to be the decisive hit.
The Giants attempted a late rally in the ninth inning. Heliot Ramos hit a leadoff home run, and pinch-hitter Drew Cavanaugh singled home a run to cut the deficit to one. However, Drew Gilbert and Matt Chapman popped out to end the game.
With this victory, the Diamondbacks improved to .500 on the season and secured the season series against the Giants for the fifth consecutive year. The Giants, meanwhile, fell to 14 games below .500 and find themselves seven games behind Arizona in the NL West standings.
The Giants' pitching had held opponents scoreless for 37 consecutive innings before Marte's leadoff home run. Starters had maintained a streak of keeping opposing batters in the park for eight games. Mahle's fastball velocity in the game averaged 93.5 mph, a slight increase from his average before going on the injured list.
Defensively, the Giants also had miscues. Victor Bericoto was picked off first base after seemingly not knowing the count with runners on base, halting a potential rally in the second inning.
Landen Roupp is scheduled to start for the Giants on Tuesday as they attempt to secure their first win against the Diamondbacks this season. Arizona has not yet announced its starter for the second game of the series.