MICHAEL WAGAMAN
Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Kirk Gibson and pitcher Wade Miley got into a heated exchange in the dugout when the Diamondbacks manager sent up a pinch-hitter in the third inning, ending Miley’s night.
The situation never escalated beyond yelling, and afterward both men downplayed the confrontation as an ordinary argument between manager and player.
Still, it’s been that kind of season for Arizona, and even a logical move can elevate tensions.
Ender Inciarte homered leading off the fourth inning but the Diamondbacks managed only three other hits in a 5-1 loss to the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night.
Miley, winless since July 30, gave up three runs and five hits in two innings. He walked four and struck out one.
“I just wanted to stay in the game and correct it. That was what I was most frustrated about,” Miley said. “Everybody in the stadium knew I was struggling to find it. My arm felt really, really good — the best it’s felt in a while. I just wanted to go back out.”
Gibson defended his decision to give Miley the quick hook, but understood why the pitcher was upset.
“His pitch count was way up there, basically 60 pitches in two innings,” Gibson said. “It was a decision I had to make for my reasons, and he doesn’t have to like it. I didn’t think he was throwing very well so I made a decision to move on and try and get someone else in there that could shut them down.”
It didn’t help that Arizona’s offense got next to nothing off Giants starter Yusmeiro Petit.
Making his third start since replacing Tim Lincecum in the rotation, Petit (5-3) faced just two more than the minimum and matched his season high of nine strikeouts. The right-hander needed only 84 pitches to finish the gem, the fewest in a nine-inning complete game by any pitcher in the majors this season.
Petit, who threw 26 first-pitch strikes, came within one out of a perfect game against the Diamondbacks on Sept. 6, 2013.
“He’s been a lift for us,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. “He’s got command of four pitches and he was hitting his spots tonight. What’d he throw, 85-90 pitches? That’s impressive.”
Leadoff hitter Angel Pagan had four hits and scored twice. Joe Panik went 5 for 5 and Gregor Blanco added two singles to help San Francisco win its seventh straight home game.
Overall, the Giants have won 10 of 13.
The Giants stranded seven runners in the first three innings but took advantage of control problems by Miley (7-11).
Andrew Susac drew a bases-loaded walk in the first inning and Pablo Sandoval did the same thing in the second. Pagan scored both times.
Buster Posey also drove in a run in the second when Diamondbacks first baseman Mark Trumbo couldn’t handle a bounced throw from shortstop Didi Gregorius, who was trying to complete a double play.
Petit did the rest in his best start since his near-miss against Arizona a year ago.
He retired his first nine hitters — five by strikeout — before Inciarte went deep. The ball landed in McCovey Cove, the 101st splash hit since AT&T Park opened in 2000.
NUMBERS
Inciarte’s drive ended a seven-game homerless streak that was the second-longest in Diamondbacks history. … Arizona is 2-6 on its 11-game road trip. … RHP Zeke Spruill, called up from Triple-A Reno, pitched four innings of relief. He allowed one earned run and struck out four.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Diamondbacks: RHP Brad Ziegler will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in Phoenix. … LHP Patrick Corbin and RHP David Hernandez each played catch for the first time since having elbow surgery in the spring.
Giants: 1B Brandon Belt is scheduled to fly to Pittsburgh on Thursday to see a concussion specialist. Belt, on the disabled list since Aug. 8, could resume baseball activities this weekend.
UP NEXT
Diamondbacks RHP Josh Collmenter (10-7) is one win shy of his career high. His 103 strikeouts are already a career best.
Giants RHP Ryan Vogelsong (8-10) has a 5.51 ERA in three starts against Arizona this season.
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