Gallen strikes out 11, Diamondbacks end 3-game slide with 8-2 win over Giants

PHOENIX (AP) — Zac Gallen struck out 11 in six innings, pinch hitter Pavin Smith hit a three-run homer and the Arizona Diamondbacks ended a three-game losing streak with an 8-2 win over the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday night.

Arizona needed a rebound after a losing streak that included a blown eight-run lead in a loss to Milwaukee and Tuesday's lackluster 11-0 loss to the Giants.

The Diamondbacks responded behind a strong performance from their ace and are .001 behind the New York Mets for the second of three National League wild cards, a game ahead of Atlanta. The Braves and Mets had to postpone the final two games of their series until a Monday doubleheader due to Hurricane Helene.

“These matter big-time, I think we had to prove to ourselves to get back on track,” Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker said. “We had to find a little confidence, a little swagger.”

Gallen gave it to them.

The right-hander gave up a run-scoring double to Tyler Fitzgerald in the second inning, but shut the Giants down after that. Gallen (14-6) retired 12 straight starting in the second inning and struck out the side in the fifth.

“That's probably the best I've felt in a while,” said Gallen, who allowed a run on two hits with two walks to win his fifth straight decision. “Everything seemed to work, for the most part, and executed a good game plan.”

Arizona's offense also came back to life after Tuesday's letdown, chasing Giants starter Mason Black (1-5) by the third inning. Gabriel Moreno had two RBIs and Smith put the game out of reach in the eighth by splashing a homer into the pool in right-center.

The Giants didn't put up much of a fight a night after blowing the Diamondbacks out, striking out 17 times to end a 7-1 run against playoff contenders.

“We've got to put it in play a little bit more,” Giants manager Bob Melvin said.

Black earned first big league victory by tossing 5 2/3 scoreless innings against Kansas City last Friday.

He wasn't nearly as sharp against the Diamondbacks.

Fighting control issues, Black gave up run-scoring singles by Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Moreno in the second inning, before Corbin Carroll added a sacrifice fly. Black walked three in the third inning, including Moreno with the bases loaded, to put Arizona up 4-1.

Black allowed four runs on five hits with five walks in 2 2/3 innings.

“Walks always kill,” Black said. “Mechanically, I just felt out of synch out there.”

TRAINER'S ROOM

Diamondbacks: RHP Paul Sewald threw a short bullpen session as he works his way back from a neck/shoulder issue.

UP NEXT

Giants: San Francisco has not named a starter for Friday's opener of a three-game series against St. Louis.

Diamondbacks: Arizona has yet to name a starter for the opener of a three-game series against San Diego on Friday.

This story has been updated to correct the name Arizona pinch hitter to Pavin Smith, instead of Gavin.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Mason Black walks off the field after being replaced during the third inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

San Francisco Giants' Matt Chapman tosses his bat after striking out against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the sixth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

San Francisco Giants' Tyler Fitzgerald connects for a run-scoring double against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the second inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith, center, celebrates his three-run home run against the San Francisco Giants with Corbin Carroll (7) and Geraldo Perdomo (2) during the eighth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith looks up as he rounds the bases after hitting a three-run home run against the San Francisco Giants during the eighth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Gabriel Moreno, left, celebrates his run-scoring single against the San Francisco Giants as Diamondbacks first base coach Dave McKay (39) looks on during the second inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Mason Black throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Eugenio Suárez scores a run against the San Francisco Giants during the second inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Eugenio Suárez, right, starts his slide into home plate to score a run ahead of a tag by San Francisco Giants catcher Patrick Bailey during the second inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zac Gallen throws against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Kliff Kingsbury and his “nice college offense” are looking pretty good these days for the Washington Commanders.

Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray is quite familiar with the highs and lows Kingsbury's leadership can bring. Kingsbury — now the offensive coordinator in Washington — was Murray's mentor and head coach with the Cardinals from 2019-22.

The Commanders (2-1) travel to face the Cardinals (1-2) on Sunday for a reunion. Murray isn't letting the moment get too big.

“To be honest, I’ve done it before,” Murray said. “I’ve competed against him before and many other coaches that I’ve been coached by. It doesn’t really affect me. My goal is to go out and win the game.”

Kingsbury was hired as the Cardinals’ head coach in 2019, largely because the team wanted an offensive mind to guide Murray, who was taken with the No. 1 pick out of Oklahoma. The coach lasted four up-and-down seasons before being fired following a 4-13 record in 2022.

But there were some highlights. The Cardinals had an 11-win season in 2021, making the playoffs before losing to the Rams in the wild-card round. Murray was selected to two Pro Bowls under Kingsbury’s tutelage. The coach's Air Raid-inspired offense — at least at times — worked very well.

Kingsbury said it has been fun watching Murray improve from afar.

“At the end of last year, you could see the confidence getting back in his knee," Kingsbury said. "He made a bunch of big plays and played really well. He's played great this season. They are a couple plays away from being undefeated. You see the speed, the quickness, the competitive nature is there.

“He's a guy that I basically banked my entire career on what he would be. I still believe in it. It's cool to see him playing well.”

The Murray-Kingsbury partnership eventually fizzled, but there doesn’t appear to be much animosity. Murray is thriving under new head coach Jonathan Gannon and offensive coordinator Drew Petzing. Kingsbury is doing well, too, leading a Washington offense that's thriving under rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.

Murray declined to say which coaching staff's offense was superior.

“Two different systems," Murray said. "One is more reliant on certain things, and the other one is more reliant on other things.

Washington’s longest-tenured player is punter Tress Way, and for years of organizational struggles, he may have been the team’s best player on the field many days over the past decade.

Not the past two games.

The Commanders have not needed Way to punt since Week 1, scoring on all their possessions except for kneel downs. He is handling it just fine, even if selfishly he would like to be able to do his job.

“I am having a lot of fun just out there holding and the leg feels pretty fresh, so it’s been a lot of fun,” Way said. “It’s pretty cool.”

James Conner had one of this worst games as a member of the Cardinals last weekend, running for just 17 yards on nine carries against the Lions. According to recent history, he's due for a big game.

The last three times Conner has run for 50 yards or less in a game, he has followed that performance with at least 100 yards on the ground.

The Cardinals also hope to get backup running back Trey Benson more involved with the offense. Benson was expected to have a sizable impact this season after being drafted in the third round out of Florida State, but has run for just 31 yards on 16 carries this season.

Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen thanked the offense for the victory at Cincinnati on Monday night, acknowledging he and his unit still have some work to do after allowing Joe Burrow and the Bengals to rack up 436 yards and 33 points.

Washington’s defense ranks 29th in the NFL and 31st against the pass, a combination of an ineffective pass rush and a largely inexperienced secondary. Cornerback Emmanuel Forbes has had his own struggles early in his pro career, but his return from surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb means the return of another body against Murray, Harrison and the Cardinals.

The Cardinals will play their first game without defensive lineman Justin Jones, who injured a triceps against the Lions last weekend and will miss the rest of the season.

Jones was one of the team's key free agent additions during the offseason, signing a three-year deal worth nearly $20 million in guarnteed money.

Arizona's already without second-year linebacker BJ Ojulari, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in training camp. The Cardinals are also awaiting the debut of rookie defensive lineman Darius Robinson, who is working through a calf injury and must miss one more game after being put on injured reserve.

AP Sports Writer Stephen Whyno in Washington contributed to this report.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn walks on the field before an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Monday, Sept. 23, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon walks on the sidelines during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, right, celebrates with teammate Brian Robinson Jr. (8) after a 4-yard touchdown run during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Monday, Sept. 23, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) runs onto the field before an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)