A pitchers’ duel between 26-year-old Brandon Pfaadt and 42-year-old Justin Verlander went seven scoreless innings in the desert.
In his last three starts, JV has used command of an arsenal of pitches that aren’t his once-vaunted fastball. I was wrong. Verlander has proven himself capable of starting and dominating in this league.
It took all season for it to come together, but in the last 20 games of the season, in his last three starts, JV’s a legit starter for the Giants.
Arizona allowed Pfaadt the chance to earn his first career win against the Giants by himself.
The Diamondbacks sent Pfaadt back out for the 8th and 9th. He didn’t let them down. Pfaadt ended with a complete game one-hitter with seven Ks.
Spencer Bivens held the 8th for the Giants, and Ryan Walker was sent out to hold the 9th for the Giants. He gave up a triple to Corbin Carroll, intentionally walked Gabriel Moreno, then loaded the bases with an HBP of Blaze Alexander: one down, three on.
The Diamondbacks had a runner 90′ feet from victory twice in this one and to his credit, in the first instance it was Walker who fought back, striking out Adrian del Castillo and inducing a ground out from Alek Thomas to send it to extras.
The Giants failed to plate the zombie runner in the top of the 10th. Joel Peguero took the mound for the bottom of the frame. The Snakes advanced the zombie with a FC, but, again failed to plate him. On to the 11th.
The Diamondbacks helped the Giants with a passed ball that advanced the zombie and a walk issued to young Bryce Elsridge.tomput runners in the corners. Jerar Encarnacion drove in Chapman, the zombie RBI, with a single in the 11th. Giants 1, Snakes 0.
A base hit and an error gave the Giants bases loaded with nobody out, then Christian Koss did the real damage: a golf-swing drilled to deep center for a two run double. Giants 3, Snakes 0.
Rookie Drew Gilbert then had RISP with nobody out, but struck out against a barrage of 100 mph pitches by the D’Backs’ Juan Morillo.
Grant McCray Drew a full count against the heaters, and managed to fly out deep enough to right to score the sacrifice RBI. Then Rafael Devers knocked in a run with a single. Giants 5, Snakes 0.
The D’Backs plated the zombie with a couple of sacrifice flies. But Joey Peguero retired the side. Giants 5, Snakes 1.
The Giants had one hit through the entire game, and scored five in the 11th inning. This was a hard fought win of endurance.
Brandon Pfaadt, despite throwing a complete game – nine scoreless innings giving up just one hit – still has never beaten the Giants.
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