Fletcher’s 1st big league homer, 4 RBIs lift D-Backs over Giants 7-5

By JACK THOMPSON
Associated Press

PHOENIX (AP) — Dominic Fletcher hit his first major league home run, doubled in the go-ahead run in the sixth inning and had four RBIs to help the Arizona Diamondbacks rally past the San Francisco Giants 7-5 Friday night, ending their three-game losing streak.

Fletcher, a 25-year-old who made his big league debut on April 30, raised his average to .457. Hitting ninth in the order, he tied the score 3-3 with a three-run homer in the second off Ross Stripling, a 428-foot drive off the sign above the swimming pool area in right-center field.

Fletcher singled in the fourth and then doubled off Jakob Junis (2-2) for a 5-4 lead. With a chance to hit for the cycle, Fletcher stranded the bases loaded in the seventh with an inning-ending groundout.

Blake Sobol’s run-scoring passed ball gave Arizona a two-run advantage, and Lourdes Gurriel Jr.’s RBI double in the seventh made it 7-4.

Casey Schmitt had a one-out RBI double in the eighth against Andrew Chafin, who with runners on second and third retired Wilmer Flores on a groundout and struck out Bryce Johnson. Miguel Castro got two outs for his second save.

With Arizona wearing gold City Connect jerseys and caps, Anthony Misiewicz (1-0) got his first with win for the Diamondbacks. He retired four batters without allowing a hit.

Joc Pederson hit a two-run homer in the first off Ryne Nelson and Michael Conforto went deep on the 12th pitch of his at-bat in the second, his sixth home run this season.

Evan Longoria homered to give Arizona a 4-3 lead in the bottom half, and J.D. Davis hit a tying single in the fifth.

After getting eight hits in his first three games with the Giants, Schmitt was 1 for 4. San Francisco went 2 for 9 with runners in scoring position.

Bench coach Jeff Banister filled in for Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo, who missed the game to attend the graduation of son Connor from Northern Arizona.

Arizona first baseman Christian Walker was ejected in the sixth inning by plate umpire Alfonso Marquez for arguing balls and strikes.

LONG AB

Conforto tied the mark for the most pitches seen by a Giants batter in a plate appearance ending with a home run since pitch counts started to be tracked in 1988. Mac Williamson (2017) and Andrew McCutchen (2018) also had home runs on the 12th pitch.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Giants: LHP Alex Wood (left hamstring strain) was activated from the injured list and gave up a run in the seventh inning. RHP Cole Waites was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento Thursday night.

Diamondbacks: LHP Joe Mantiply was placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to Tuesday, with a strained right hamstring. Banister said Mantiply felt tightness in the leg while warming up in the bullpen on Thursday.

NEXT

San Francisco’s Anthony DeSclafani (3-2, 2.80) faces Arizona RHP Zac Gallen (5-1, 2.36) on Saturday.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports