Giants Spoil Diamondbacks’ Playoff Hopes with 6-3 Victory

PHOENIX – The San Francisco Giants continued their hot streak against teams vying for playoff spots, defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-3 on Monday night. Matt Chapman’s inside-the-park homer in the third inning sparked a Giants rally, while Casey Schmitt and Michael Conforto also contributed solo shots.

With the loss, the Diamondbacks (87-70) lost ground in the National League wild card race. They remain in sole possession of the final wild card spot, but now hold only a 1.5 game lead over the Atlanta Braves (85-71). The San Diego Padres (90-66) and New York Mets (87-69) occupy the first two wild card positions.

The Mets and Braves are set to face off in a critical three-game series beginning Tuesday in Atlanta.

Despite the setback, Diamondbacks center fielder Jake McCarthy maintained a positive outlook. “I don’t think there’s any pressing,” he stated. “We’ve had our foot on the gas pedal the whole season, so just chalk it up to baseball. We’re going to bounce back tomorrow.”

The Giants, though out of playoff contention, have been playing exceptionally well in recent weeks against teams fighting for a post-season berth. They own a 6-1 record against the Baltimore Orioles, Kansas City Royals, and Diamondbacks.

The game marked another frustrating defeat for Arizona, following their Sunday meltdown against the Milwaukee Brewers, where they surrendered an 8-0 lead before ultimately losing 10-9.

“Today, we got beat,” admitted Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo. “Their pitcher was making quality pitches, we weren’t able to generate the offense we normally have, and we got beat.”

Chapman’s inside-the-park homer in the third inning put the Giants up 3-1. He laced a liner to one of the deepest parts of the park in left center, and a leaping Jake McCarthy could not quite make the grab at the wall. Left fielder Pavin Smith had to retrieve the carom in center field.

Chapman hustled all the way and easily beat the relay throw home from Geraldo Perdomo. Denard Span was the last San Francisco player to hit an inside-the-park homer, back in 2017.

“He seems to be up for anything these days,” remarked Giants manager Bob Melvin regarding Chapman. “It’s just showing everybody how we expect to play down the road.”

Schmitt added a solo homer in the fourth to extend the lead to 4-2. Conforto launched another long ball in the fifth, increasing the advantage to 5-2. Chapman added a run-scoring triple in the seventh, hammering another ball off the outfield wall to finish with three RBIs.

Diamondbacks lefty Eduardo Rodriguez (3-4) struggled, giving up five runs on seven hits over 4 2/3 innings. He struck out eight and walked three.

“When you’re missing over the plate, you pay for it, no matter who you’re playing,” Rodriguez acknowledged.

Christian Walker cut the Giants’ lead to 3-2 in the fourth with an RBI double. Joc Pederson also contributed an RBI double.

San Francisco right-hander Hayden Birdsong (5-5) pitched five innings, allowing two runs. Ryan Walker pitched a scoreless ninth for his 10th save.

**Trainer’s Room**

Diamondbacks: C Gabriel Moreno (oblique) appeared to avoid a serious injury despite exiting Sunday’s game with discomfort. He could return to the lineup as soon as Tuesday. … 2B Ketel Marte (ankle) was given a day of rest, according to Lovullo. He entered as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning.

**Up Next**

The Diamondbacks will send RHP Brandon Pfaadt (10-9, 4.66) to the mound against Giants RHP Logan Webb (12-10, 3.58).