After Grichuk's 2 homers, D-backs hold off Giants
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SAN FRANCISCO -- Even the best-laid roster construction plans can't always account for the everyday grind of a big league season.
That was apparent as Arizona penciled first baseman Christian Walker into its lineup for the first time in more than a month, only to lose outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. to the 10-day injured list with a left calf strain ahead of Tuesday's 8-7 win over the Giants.
Gurriel expressed disappointment at having to miss time at such a critical point in the season: After the D-backs' series-opening victory, they sit a half-game back of the Padres for the top NL Wild Card spot and six games back of the Dodgers in the NL West.
But, speaking through interpreter Rolando Valles, Gurriel offered a reason for optimism: "The boys have stepped up" in the face of adversity.
The top contributors in Tuesday's win may best embody that sentiment. Randal Grichuk, starting in left field with Gurriel out, went 3-for-5 and drove in three runs on a pair of long balls. It was the 12th multihomer game of his career and his first since Sept. 6, 2022.
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Ryne Nelson -- who won an in-season position battle to stay in the rotation over free-agent acquisition Jordan Montgomery -- struck out a career-high-tying nine Giants batters across 6 2/3 innings of two-run ball. Nelson has not lost a decision since June 26.
The Giants rallied late, ambushing Ryan Thompson for four runs in the eighth inning to pull within one. But Justin Martinez, after surrendering an RBI single, was able to strand a pair on the bases to put an end to the threat.
The D-backs got a run back late on Walker's RBI single in the ninth, his first hit back from the IL. That proved necessary as Martinez gave up one more run in the bottom of the frame before shutting the door on the Giants.