PHOENIX — For a couple of weeks now, when asked about the home-heavy schedule the Giants have before the trade deadline, Bruce Bochy has nodded and then pivoted. He likes to point out that no matter how many games this team has at home this month, none of it will matter if the road numbers don’t turn.
This weekend, the Giants turned around their road fortunes, and the timing couldn’t have been better. A 9-6 win over the Diamondbacks clinched a series sweep that got the Giants within 2 1/2 games of first place. That’s the closest they have been June 10. The Giants still are well below .500 on the road, but they have won eight of their last 14 games away from AT&T Park. Here are the details from the latest win...
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--- Cory Gearrin had pitched just twice in the previous 17 games, but Bruce Bochy put him in a tough spot. Gearrin came on with the bases loaded and two outs in the fourth and got Christian Walker to ground out to first. Brandon Belt ranged far toward the line to snag the ball and made a deft flip back to the bag, where Gearrin was waiting.
--- Pablo Sandoval was hit by a pitch in the third inning and left the game after running the bases. X-rays were negative, and the Giants announced that Sandoval has a right elbow contusion. Alen Hanson took over at third.
--- Hunter Pence didn’t drive in a run in his first 12 pinch-hit at-bats this season, but he lined a two-run double down the line in the fifth to give the Giants a 7-3 lead.
--- Paul Goldschmidt hit a two-run blast in the seventh to get the Diamondbacks within three. The homer was Goldschmidt's 21st in 127 games against the Giants. Nolan Arenado has 23 homers against the Giants.
San Francisco Giants
--- Austin Slater had three hits on Friday night and two more Sunday. He also drew two walks in the finale. With two lefties on deck in Denver, Slater should get a nice run of playing time here. Should.
--- It was a poorly-timed rough start for Derek Holland, who gave up seven hits and three runs in 3 2/3 innings. This came after rookies Andrew Suarez and Dereck Rodriguez dominated the same lineup. The decisions become more interesting by the game...