What we learned when the Giants’ late comeback failed against the D-backs originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

RESULT

SAN FRANCISCO — The Arizona Diamondbacks hit a leadoff single and then a double to right to start the first inning at Oracle Park. The Giants hit a leadoff walk and then a double to right to start the first inning.

The Diamondbacks, who rank second in baseball in hitting with runners in scoring position, scored three runs. The 27th-ranked Giants scored one run.

There was a lot more that happened Tuesday night, but that was that game in a nutshell and a perfect example of why it’s back to October for the reigning NL champions, while the Giants can start booking tee times despite continuing to show plenty of fighting spirit.

That early lead held, albeit narrowly. The Giants fought back vigorously in the final two innings, but dropped the tying point on second base in the bottom of the ninth inning, losing 8-7 and now at least 10 games behind the top three teams in the NL West.

The Diamondbacks scored six runs in the first three innings to take a 7-2 lead, but Mike Yastrzemski’s 13th home run of the year sparked a long Giants comeback. Struggling catcher Patrick Bailey kept things going with a nifty bunt with two outs to bring the Giants within two runs, and Marco Luciano followed with a flare to right to score another run.

That brought Luis Matos, who was also called up for Tuesday, into the game, but he fell to the ground at the sight of a 162 km/h fastball from Justin Martinez.

After the Diamondbacks scored another run in the ninth inning, the Giants came back on their feet. They scored and brought two players onto the field with two outs, but Jerar Encarnacion misfired, dropping his team to three games under .500.

Difficult start

Kyle Harrison’s 24th start of the 2024 MLB season lasted just 2 2/3 innings. It was the shortest start of his career, and although manager Bob Melvin was cautious at times with a young arm, this was all about performance.

Harrison allowed a two-run homer to Randal Grichuk in the first inning after it looked like he might be able to limit the damage. The Diamondbacks scored again in the second inning and added two more runs in the third. Harrison scored a career-high six earned runs. His fastball averaged just 91.2 mph, and the league’s top offense took advantage. Harrison faced 16 batters and allowed seven hits.

Welcome back

Tristan Beck was on track for an Opening Day job this spring but had to undergo surgery to remove an aneurysm in his right upper arm. The procedure wiped out most of his season, but he finally returned to the major league mound on Tuesday, which, no matter how it turned out, was a big win.

Beck pitched well in the end, allowing two hits in 3 1/3 innings that earned him a point. He managed two walks but also had four strikeouts, showing a sharp curve and good command of his four-seamer.

Beck isn’t at full capacity yet and won’t get to it this month, but as the Giants work out other players — including possibly Harrison, who surpassed his previous high for innings — Beck seems like a good candidate for a few shorter spot starts. Last year, he had a 3.92 ERA in 33 appearances, including three starts.

New look

Marco Luciano returned as second baseman, and the first night back in the major leagues did not go well on that side of the ball.

His first real test came in the third inning when Adrian Del Castillo hit a grounder to center that was ruled an infield single because Luciano couldn’t throw the ball. It was a tough play, but the opposing catcher also ran and Luciano dropped the ball several times. Two innings later, he made an error when he dropped Geraldo Perdomo’s slow grounder to right.

Luciano was 1-for-4 at the plate with an RBI. Matos had two strikeouts after replacing Grant McCray midway through the game.

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