SAN FRANCISCO — Paul Goldschmidt keeps coming up with big hits for the Arizona Diamondbacks. A little protection from J.D. Martinez sure helps.
Goldschmidt had three hits and two RBIs, Anthony Banda got his first career win and the Diamondbacks beat the San Francisco Giants 2-1 on Friday night to continue the franchise’s best start in nearly 15 years.
“The right guy in the right spot,” manager Torey Lovullo said following Goldschmidt’s third multihit game in four days. “Without him, we don’t win this game.”
One day after hitting a career-high three home runs at Wrigley Field, Goldschmidt mixed in some speed with his power at AT&T Park in San Francisco. He reached on an infield single in the second, tripled in the fourth to drive in A.J. Pollock and tacked on an RBI single off the wall in left in the sixth.
“(Madison Bumgarner) threw a changeup and I was little out in front of it,” Goldschmidt said of his last hit. “I was able to get enough of it to get it out there. “
In 13 games since Martinez arrived in a trade from Detroit on July 18, Goldschmidt is batting .486 (18 for 37) with 14 RBIs and eight extra-base hits.
“Every player looks for runs like that,” Lovullo said. “He’s locked in, doing his job.”
San Francisco had a scary moment in the sixth when first baseman Brandon Belt was hit in the head by a 78 mph curveball. He stayed down for several moments while being attended to by trainer Dave Groeschner while Banda knelt on the mound with his face in his glove.
Joe Panik then came in to run for Belt, who was suffering from concussion symptoms after the game. He is scheduled to be examined again on Saturday.
“It’s a curveball that caught him flush,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. “He’s been through this before, so it’s obvious there are some concerns there. Our hope is this thing’s going to be a lot better tomorrow.”
David Peralta doubled and reached twice to help the Diamondbacks (63-46) beat Bumgarner and the Giants in the first matchup between the NL West rivals since early April.
Brandon Crawford drove in San Francisco’s lone run with a bases-loaded walk in the fourth. The Giants have been held to one run or less in five of Bumgarner’s nine starts and 24 times overall.
Banda (1-1), Arizona’s top prospect going into the season, allowed one run and three hits in six innings. The left-hander struck out seven and walked four.
Three relievers completed the three-hitter. Fernando Rodney retired three batters for his 25th save.
BUMMED OUT
Bumgarner (1-5) struck out seven and allowed five hits in seven innings in one of his strongest outings this season. The left-hander has given up three earned runs over his last 19 innings.
“I’m always trying to get better,” said Bumgarner, who missed nearly three months with a shoulder sprain. “I was jumping in when guys are in midseason form pretty much, so I really have to try to be on top of my game.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Diamondbacks: LHP Robbie Ray threw in the outfield before the game. Ray was hit in the head by a line drive off the bat of St. Louis’ Luke Voit on July 28. … OF Yasmany Tomas (right groin tendinitis) could begin a rehab assignment next week. … INF Ketel Marte was reinstated from the bereavement list. Marte’s mother, Elpidia Valdez, died in a car crash in the Dominican Republic on Sunday night.
Giants: RHP Mark Melancon (right pronator strain) retired only two batters and allowed four earned runs in a rehab start with Class A San Jose. The closer threw 22 pitches, 19 for strikes, and gave up a home run.
UP NEXT
RHP Tajuan Walker (6-5, 3.55 ERA) pitches for Arizona on Saturday seeking his third win in four career starts against San Francisco. RHP Chris Stratton (0-2, 7.71 ERA) goes for the Giants.
