The D-backs spoiled what was a historic day for Madison Bumgarner, San Francisco Giants’ ace pitcher, by rallying for a pair of runs in the bottom of the ninth inning off new Giants closer Mark Melancon. Arizona won 6-5, in front of a sellout crowd Sunday afternoon at Chase Field.
Bumgarner became the first pitcher in history to hit two home runs on Opening Day. He also struck out 11 over seven innings, but the giants were not able to hold on to the leads of 3-0 and 5-4.
D-backs closer Fernando Rodney came into a tie game in the top of the ninth and walked two and threw a wild pitch, allowing the Giants to score and grab a 5-4 lead.
Melancon, who signed a four-year, $62 million deal during the offseason, came in the ninth and allowed Jeff Mathis to hit a two-out double. Daniel Descalso then hit a single, to tie the game.
A.J. Pollock singled which moved Descalso to third and CHris Owings drove him home with a single to right field.
“He threw two good pitches to start me off,” Owings said. “I faced him a couple of times in the past so that helped me out a lot. I was just trying to get something up in the zone.”