PHOENIX — Anthony DeSclafani threw 8 2/3 effective innings, Austin Slater and Darin Ruf both homered and the San Francisco Giants beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-2 on Sunday night for their third straight victory.
There was also bad news for the Giants as All-Star catcher Buster Posey left the game with a left thumb contusion. The team said X-rays were negative. The 34-year-old took an awkward shot to his glove hand on a foul tip by Daulton Varsho and tried to stay in the game but left after just one more pitch.
DeSclafani (9-3) nearly pitched his third complete game of the season but was lifted in the ninth after Christian Walker's RBI single with two outs made it 5-2. Tyler Rogers got the final out for his 10th save.
DeSclafani gave up six hits and two walks while striking out seven.
Slater crushed a solo shot in the third inning that pushed San Francisco ahead 3-0. It traveled 467 feet, landing far past the left-center field wall, past the seats and onto the concourse. It was his ninth homer of the year.
San Francisco Giants shortstop Thairo Estrada (39) in the first inning during a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Sunday, July 4, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Ruf added another no-doubter, this one a two-run shot on a hanging breaking ball that put the Giants ahead 5-0 in the sixth.
Diamondbacks left-hander Caleb Smith (2-5) took the loss, giving up five runs over six innings. He gave up five hits, one walk and struck out five. It was a decent outing until his two-out mistake to Ruf in the sixth that ended up in the seats.
The Diamondbacks fell to 40 games below .500 at 23-63, which is the worst record in the big leagues. They've lost 50 of 58 games dating back to May 2, when they were 15-13. Arizona is on pace to finish 43-119.
PAIN FOR POSEY
Posey's hand injury happened in the sixth when a foul tip appeared to catch him on the heel of the glove.
He immediately jumped up and walked to the mound, shaking his hand. He caught a couple practice pitches from DeSclafani and then tried to remain in the game. The next pitch was a full-count strikeout of Varsho, but TV caught Posey grimacing after he caught the ball.
After that, he took himself out of the game, walking off the field and into the dugout. He was replaced by Curt Casali.
Losing Posey for any amount of time would be a big blow for the Giants. The seven-time All-Star came into Sunday's game batting .327 with 12 homers.
ESCOBAR GETS ALL-STAR NOD
The Diamondbacks had a rare light moment in the clubhouse on Sunday when it was announced that 11-year MLB veteran Eduardo Escobar had made his first All-Star team as a reserve. He was Arizona's lone selection.
The 32-year-old Escobar is hitting .249 with a team-high 18 homers and 54 RBIs this season. He's also one of the team's most popular players in the clubhouse.
“I'm so happy," Escobar said. "I've been working hard every year for this opportunity.”
TRAINER'S ROOM
Giants: RHPs Aaron Sanchez (right bicep and finger blister) and Reyes Montoya (right flexor strain) are scheduled to throw live batting practice on Tuesday. .... RHP Logan Webb (right shoulder strain) plans to pitch for Triple-A Sacramento out of the bullpen. He'll throw three innings or 45 pitches.
Diamondbacks: Escobar (sore quadriceps) didn't start for a second straight game. Manager Torey Lovullo said Escobar needed some rest this weekend because he wasn't going to get much rest over the All-Star break when he travels to Colorado. Escobar pinch hit in the ninth and flew out to left. ... RHP Taylor Widener (groin) gave up four runs over four innings in a rehab start at High-A Hillsboro on Saturday. He struck out six and Lovullo said the pitcher felt good.
UP NEXT
Giants: San Francisco returns home for a three-game series against St. Louis. The Giants will start RHP Kevin Gausman (8-2, 1.68 ERA) on the mound against St. Louis LHP Kwang Hyun Kim (2-5, 3.79).
Diamondbacks: Arizona has a day off on Monday before starting a three-game series at Colorado. The Diamondbacks will send RHP Merrill Kelly (5-7, 4.67) to the mound on Tuesday to face Colorado RHP Jon Gray (5-6, 3.89).
