The Arizona Diamondbacks continued their recent surge on Monday afternoon, defeating the San Francisco Giants 6-2 at Oracle Park. The win was their eighth in nine games and improved their record to 29-24, five games over .500 for the first time this season. It also marked their fourth consecutive victory over the Giants, whom they have swept in three previous meetings this month.

Ketel Marte led the offense, tying his career-high with four hits. The second baseman has been on a tear, raising his batting average significantly over the past two weeks. Corbin Carroll also contributed two hits, continuing his own hot streak. The duo has been central to a lineup that has scored at least four runs in 11 of its last 15 games, a major reason for the team's turnaround after a sluggish start.

Right-hander Merrill Kelly earned his fourth straight victory, working seven innings of two-run ball. He allowed just four hits, walked two, and struck out four. Kelly described the outing as his sharpest of the year, citing improved fastball life and command. He is part of a rotation that has produced quality starts in 15 of the last 20 games, putting the Diamondbacks in a position to win nearly every night.

The pitching staff has been so effective that manager Torey Lovullo has struggled to find innings for his relievers. Reliever Jonathan Loaisiga has been battling shoulder fatigue, but Lovullo said it is not a serious concern, and the team is being cautious with his workload. Left-hander A.J. Puk is on a rehab assignment and could return in mid-June after seven or eight appearances.

Defensively, the Diamondbacks played a clean game, contrasting with the Giants' miscues. In the fifth inning, Giants shortstop Willy Adames made an errant throw, allowing Tommy Troy to reach base. Marte then blooped a double that Giants left fielder Casey Schmitt misplayed, leading to three runs. The Diamondbacks now rank among the better defensive teams in the majors, a key factor in their success.

Not everything was perfect. The Diamondbacks lost both of their ABS challenge opportunities early, and a baserunning error cost them an out in the eighth when Marte passed runner Tommy Troy. But those mistakes have been few compared to opponents' errors, especially against the lowly Rockies and Giants. The Diamondbacks are 5-2 against Colorado and 4-0 against San Francisco this season.

Ildemaro Vargas Sits Amid Slump

First baseman Ildemaro Vargas was out of the lineup for the series opener, with rookie Jose Fernandez starting. Vargas has been in a deep slump, going 0-for-17 over his last five games with just two walks and a hit-by-pitch. Since his 27-game hitting streak ended earlier this month, he has hit .200/.236/.259 in 21 games. Lovullo said the decision was mainly to give Vargas a mental and physical break, but he remains confident Vargas will bounce back. Vargas did appear as a pinch hitter in the sixth inning, going 0-for-2. General manager Mike Hazen acknowledged the offensive struggles but emphasized that Vargas's defense at first base has been extremely valuable. The team is still leaning toward sticking with him as the regular first baseman, especially since the offense has been clicking elsewhere.

Waldschmidt Moving Up in Lineup

Rookie center fielder Ryan Waldschmidt batted sixth for the second consecutive day, a promotion from the nine-hole. Lovullo said he liked how the lineup looked with Waldschmidt higher and plans to keep him in that area for a while. Waldschmidt has been impressive since his call-up on May 8, hitting .353/.411/.473 through 57 plate appearances. He added two hits on Sunday and continued to produce Monday. His success is part of a trend of young players contributing, including Tommy Troy, who has been in the majors for only three days. Troy said the team's welcoming atmosphere and winning culture have made his transition easy.

Injury Updates

First baseman Pavin Smith is expected to begin a minor league rehab assignment on Monday night in the Arizona Complex League. He has been out since the first week of the season recovering from surgery to remove bone chips from his left elbow. Hazen said Smith will likely serve as the designated hitter initially and could return to the active roster while still limited to DH duties, given the team's lack of an everyday DH. Outfielder Jordan Lawlar is slightly behind Smith but not by much, according to Lovullo.

Reliever Jonathan Loaisiga played catch in the outfield before the game, surrounded by coaches and medical staff. Lovullo revealed that Loaisiga has been dealing with shoulder fatigue, but the team has backed off his usage to let him rest. There are no immediate concerns, and he is expected to return to full activity soon.

Left-hander A.J. Puk made his first rehab appearance in the complex league on May 23 and will likely make seven or eight more before being activated, which could push his return into mid-June. The Diamondbacks are being cautious with his buildup, but he has looked sharp in initial outings.

Upcoming Schedule

The Diamondbacks face a tougher stretch ahead. After concluding this series in San Francisco, they travel to Seattle to play the Mariners, a talented team that has struggled early. Then they return to Phoenix for a four-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The rotation for the next few days includes Eduardo Rodriguez (4-1, 2.24) on Tuesday against Tyler Mahle (1-6, 6.10), followed by Michael Soroka (6-2, 3.27) on Wednesday. After an off day Thursday, Zac Gallen (3-4, 4.80) will start the opener in Seattle.

Despite the looming challenges, the Diamondbacks are confident. Kelly summed it up after the game: "The guys have been playing good. We've been putting together some good at-bats. I think overall it's the most complete baseball we've played this year, at least from what I've seen, this last stretch. Hopefully, we can keep it moving."

The Diamondbacks' recent run has forced the baseball world to take notice. Whether they are a legitimate playoff contender or simply a team that has feasted on inferior competition will be tested in the coming weeks. For now, they are enjoying their winning ways and the positive atmosphere in the clubhouse. As catcher Gabriel Moreno said, "It feels good to get into this rhythm. There are good vibes with this team. We're together. We're trying to translate those good vibes and they're helping out."

The Diamondbacks have not made the postseason since 2017, but with a balanced roster, strong pitching, and young talent contributing, they have the pieces to make a run. The next two weeks will reveal whether this hot streak is a sign of something more permanent or just a fleeting moment against weak opponents.

Source: MSN News