Goldschmidt, Murphy homer as D-backs take series from Giants
SAN FRANCISCO -- Paul Goldschmidt left his slump in San Francisco.
Goldschmidt and John Ryan Murphy hit home runs, and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Giants 7-3 on Wednesday to take two of three at AT&T Park.
The Diamondbacks won their fourth straight series to start a season for the first time since beginning play in 1998.
"We're confident, but there's a lot of games to go," Goldschmidt said. "We know how tough this division is, how tough these guys are, the Dodgers, Rockies, Padres -- it's not going to be easy."
Goldschmidt was batting .100 (3 for 30) through his first eight games. He drove in three runs in the finale, and the five-time All-Star finished 5 for 12 in the series with two homers.
"Goldy's back." That's 2 HRs in his last 3 at-bats for Paul Goldschmidt and the @Dbacks take a 2-0 lead in the 4th inning. pic.twitter.com/om0GoGttZO
— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) April 11, 2018
"We know that if it was the middle of the season, it'd be nothing that'd be talked about," Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said of Goldschmidt's slump. "It's just a little bit magnified when you start the season and you see that average up there. He's going to be fine. Today was a great day."
Goldschmidt's second home run in as many days came against Andrew Suarez (0-1), who made his major league debut. The 25-year-old left-hander had retired his first 10 batters before Ketel Marte singled in the fourth. Goldschmidt followed with his home run.
Suarez gave up four runs and seven hits in 5 1/3 innings, struck out seven and walked none. He left to a standing ovation.
"It was great, I haven't had one of those, ever," Suarez said. "It felt really good."
The Giants started pitchers making their debuts on consecutive days for only the second time since moving to San Francisco for the 1958 season. Tyler Beede opened Tuesday.
"I made one bad pitch. ... It's the difference of inches, really." -- Robbie Ray, who gave up a game-tying HR to Buster Posey and couldn't get through 5 innings in the @Dbacks' 7-3 victory. pic.twitter.com/UAG3GLWO0L
— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) April 11, 2018
Fernando Salas (2-1) pitched a scoreless inning in relief of starter Robbie Ray.
Ray struck out six and gave up three runs, five hits and three walks in 4 2/3 innings.
Buster Posey homered off Ray in the fifth.
SUITE VIEW
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo served a one-game suspension on Tuesday for his role in an altercation with Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina on Sunday.
"It's nice to see us score quickly and especially with the home run." -- Torey Lovullo, after the @Dbacks' 7-3, series-clinching win over the Giants. pic.twitter.com/AcP5576wsd
— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) April 11, 2018
"It was hard being away from the guys, totally different perspective," Lovullo said. "I got a chance to see the sun setting on the bay, I saw all sorts of things that I would never pay attention to because your mind is able wander a little bit more, around the sixth or seventh inning my heart started pumping and I was paying attention to caring about the game as if I were in the dugout."
UP NEXT
After an off-day on Thursday, Zack Greinke (0-1, 5.06) will face his former team when the Diamondbacks opens a three-game series against the Dodgers in Los Angeles.
