PHOENIX — Rejoice, San Francisco, the season-worst skid is over.
To break out of this funk, prevail for the first time in seven games and give a jolt of life back into a season that appeared to be in peril, the Giants reverted to their winning ways from last season. It was done with a bunt and a blast — from two timely pinch-hitters.
Stepping into the batter’s box for the first time all game, with no outs in the eighth, Darin Ruf delivered a game-tying home run that brought home Austin Slater, who also entered as a pinch-hitter and beat out a bunt single to lead off the inning. Slater’s substitution proved crucial an inning later, when he lined a two-RBI double down the right field line that scored the go-ahead runs in the Giants’ 7-5 win over the D-backs.
