Kelly brilliant on mound, D-backs beat skidding Giants 7-0

Tue, Jul 26, 2022
MLB News (AP)

PHOENIX (AP) - Merrill Kelly threw eight innings of three-hit ball, Carson Kelly had a pair of doubles and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the skidding San Francisco Giants 7-0 on Monday night.

The right-hander retired the first 15 batters he faced, but gave up a leadoff double to Luis Gonzalez in the sixth. The grounder down the first-base line wasn't hit particularly hard, but stayed just inside the bag and well out of reach for first baseman Christian Walker.

It was a rare blemish in another stellar performance for the 33-year-old Kelly (10-5), who lowered his ERA to 3.04. He sliced through San Francisco's lineup with precision, striking out seven and walking none.

The struggling Giants have dropped all five games since the All-Star break. They were swept by the rival Dodgers in a four-game series over the weekend.

Arizona's Josh Rojas had two hits and an RBI. He also had a career-high three stolen bases - swiping second base once and third base twice - to push his season total to 11. Carson Kelly continued his recent tear with a two-run double in the sixth and another double in the eighth.

Jake McCarthy and David Peralta both had two hits.

Arizona has won three of four.

Giants righty Jakob Junis (4-2) threw 4 1/3 innings, giving up one run and three hits. San Francisco's bullpen had a tough night: Jarlin Garcia gave up a run without retiring a hitter, lefty Sam Long permitted three runs in the sixth and Gregory Santos allowed two runs.

The Giants finished with three hits. Gonzalez had two of them, including the double that broke up the perfect game and a bunt single.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Diamondbacks: RHP Keynan Middleton left with an athletic trainer after getting two outs in the ninth.

Giants: Manager Gabe Kapler told reporters 3B Evan Longoria has a Grade 1 hamstring strain and is likely out "a couple of weeks." ... OF Mike Yastrzemski (left calf soreness) was out of the starting lineup for the second straight day but did make a pinch-hitting appearance ... INF Tommy La Stella (COVID-19) was back with the team. Kapler told reporters there's a "good chance" La Stella could be activated soon.

UP NEXT

The teams meet again Tuesday night. The Giants will start LHP Carlos Rodon (8-5, 2.95 ERA) against LHP Tyler Gilbert (0-3, 5.34).

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