PHOENIX—Wilmer Flores’ grand slam highlighted a six-run outburst in the third inning and the San Francisco Giants snapped a six-game losing streak with a 9–3 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday.
Heliot Ramos got the Giants going with a two-run homer in the third off Jordan Montgomery (3–4), whose earned-run average rose to 6.80 in his ninth start since signing with the Diamondbacks late in spring training.
Ramos reached base six times, with two hits and four walks. Flores, who had one home run in 50 games entering Wednesday, added a sacrifice fly in the ninth for his fifth RBI, and Jorge Soler homered in the eighth off Brandon Hughes as the Giants moved into third place in the National League West, a half-game ahead of the Diamondbacks.
“I’ve never walked that many times [in a game], not even in the minor leagues,“ said Ramos, who’s batting .304. ”[I’m] trying to attack the right pitch, make the right decision.”
Giants Manager Bob Melvin said of Ramos, “He’s just so balanced. When you’re hitting like he is, you want to swing. They’re deep counts. It’s really cool to watch.”
Montgomery threw 61 pitches, 33 of them for strikes, in two-plus innings. The 31-year-old left-hander faced seven batters in the third inning and didn’t record an out, allowing six earned runs and seven hits. He walked three and struck out one. Montgomery and reliever Logan Allen combined to throw 53 pitches in the third.
“Another stinker,” Montgomery said. “It just unraveled in the third inning. It’s hard to see any positives right now.”
Giants starter Jordan Hicks also struggled, lasting only into the fourth despite the big lead. The 27-year-old righty was pulled with two outs after walking Joc Pederson to force in a run. Sean Hjelle relieved and retired Lourdes Gurriel Jr. on a ground ball to end the inning.
Hicks threw 92 pitches in 3 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on six hits, with four walks and seven strikeouts.
Hjelle (3–1) worked 1 1/3 innings and was credited with the victory.
The 3-hour, 30-minute game included 28 men left on base—16 by the Giants—and 15 walks, including 10 by the Diamondbacks.
“The entire game felt like it was frustrating for both sides,” said Mr. Melvin, who was upset after Tuesday’s 8–5 loss. “We did some good things offensively, made some good defensive plays, and the bullpen did a great job.”
Pavin Smith, starting at first base in place of Christian Walker, homered off Hjelle in the fifth for Arizona, which had its four-game winning streak halted.
The Giants had lost seven straight games at Chase Field, including the first two of the series.
Trainer’s Room
Giants: Mr. Melvin said before the game that left-hander Blake Snell (left-groin strain) may be back when his stint on the 15-day injured list ends June 18. “It seems to be really mild. Hopefully he doesn’t have to go through an extended period of rehab,” Mr. Melvin said. The reigning National League Cy Young Award winner, who signed with the Giants late in spring training, is 0–3 with a 9.51 ERA in six starts this season.Up Next
Giants: Right-hander Logan Webb (4–5, 2.95) is scheduled to start Friday’s series opener at Texas. The Rangers had not announced a starter.Diamondbacks: Right-hander Slade Cecconi (1–4, 5.59) is set to start Thursday’s first of a four-game series in San Diego.
