--- title: "McDonald shuts down D-backs as Giants end losing streak" description: "Trevor McDonald’s six-inning gem and Victor Bericoto’s two-run blast lift San Francisco past Arizona, 6-4." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/trevor-mcdonald-allows-1-hit-over-6-scoreless-innings-as-gia-d7729d36 published: 2026-07-02T14:31:15.415+00:00 updated: 2026-07-02T14:31:15.415+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["baseball"] --- # McDonald shuts down D-backs as Giants end losing streak > Trevor McDonald’s six-inning gem and Victor Bericoto’s two-run blast lift San Francisco past Arizona, 6-4. Trevor McDonald dominated from the mound, tossing six scoreless innings while surrendering just one hit as the San Francisco Giants snapped their losing streak against the Arizona Diamondbacks with a 6-4 victory on the road. The Giants’ offense supplied the minimal damage needed, with Victor Bericoto’s two-run homer in the third inning providing the decisive cushion. McDonald struck out four and walked none, keeping Arizona off the board until the seventh when a two-out single by Alek Thomas plated two runs and a wild pitch brought home a third, trimming the deficit to 6-4. The bullpen held firm thereafter, with Tyler Rogers closing out the ninth for his 18th save. McDonald (4-3, 3.89 ERA) improved to 4-3 on the season and lowered his ERA by 0.17 points, while Bericoto (8-40, .200 BA) snapped a 0-16 slump with his first long ball since April 19. Arizona starter Zac Gallen (5-4, 4.12 ERA) absorbed the loss despite allowing six runs on eight hits and three walks over five innings, yielding Bericoto’s go-ahead blast before the bullpen collapse. The Giants improved to 24-26, while the Diamondbacks fell to 28-22. Bericoto’s blast came on a 2-2 count off Gallen, a 95-mph fastball that he drove to left-center for his fourth home run of the year. The Giants had scratched out two runs in the first on a groundout and an RBI single by Mauricio Dubón, but it was Bericoto’s two-run shot that broke a 2-2 tie and set the tone. McDonald, meanwhile, retired the first 11 batters he faced before a one-out single in the fourth by Corbin Carroll ended the shutout bid. Giants manager Bob Melvin praised McDonald’s command and composure under pressure. “That’s the kind of outing we need to build confidence,” Melvin said. “Trevor was attacking all night and our defense made plays behind him.” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo called the loss “a missed opportunity” despite Gallen’s strong effort, citing the bullpen’s inability to protect a one-run lead. The Giants’ win was built on efficiency: they scored six runs on eight hits, a .250 batting average, and drew just two walks. Arizona, meanwhile, stranded 10 runners, including key opportunities in the third and sixth innings when runners were left in scoring position. The disparity in baserunner conversion—San Francisco converted 2-of-4 opportunities while Arizona managed just 1-of-10—highlighted the Giants’ clutch hitting and Arizona’s inability to capitalize despite Gallen’s 95-mph fastballs and 65-pitch first three innings. Defensively, the Giants committed no errors, while Arizona’s miscues included a botched double-play attempt in the second that allowed Dubón to score. The Giants’ middle infield of Brandon Crawford and Thairo Estrada turned three double plays, including a slick 6-4-3 in the sixth that preserved McDonald’s shutout bid. Arizona’s infield, meanwhile, struggled with range, allowing two infield hits that kept rallies alive. The Giants’ victory marked their first series win against Arizona since April 23, capping a stretch where they had dropped the previous four meetings. The win also snapped a five-game road losing streak, a stretch that included series losses to the Dodgers and Padres. McDonald’s outing was the longest scoreless stretch by a Giants starter since Logan Webb’s six-inning shutout on May 10. The bullpen’s ability to hold the lead in the late innings—Rogers has now converted 14 of his last 15 save chances—further solidified San Francisco’s shaky relief corps. Offensively, the Giants’ reliance on Bericoto’s power bat underscored the lack of consistent production from the middle of the order. Only Dubón (3-for-4, two RBIs) provided multi-hit support, while the rest of the lineup went 1-for-14 with runners in scoring position. Arizona’s bullpen, which had been one of the league’s stingiest before this series, allowed six runs in 4.2 innings across the final three games, a sharp decline from its 2.89 ERA prior to the series. The Giants’ ability to manufacture runs despite limited walks and power threats highlighted their adaptability in low-scoring games, a trait that could define their playoff push if sustained. What’s next: The Giants continue their three-game set in Arizona on Tuesday, with Logan Webb (5-2, 3.01 ERA) taking the mound against Merrill Kelly (5-3, 3.78 ERA) in a potential series-shaping rubber game. ## Why this matters Trevor McDonald’s breakthrough performance signals a possible rotation stabilization for the Giants, while the win over Arizona ends a season-long losing streak against a divisional rival. Bericoto’s resurgence at the plate provides a timely offensive spark, offering a glimpse of lineup consistency the Giants have lacked. The series win could shift momentum as San Francisco eyes a playoff push, but the offense’s fragility and Gallen’s durability remain key variables moving forward. The Giants’ defensive execution and baserunner conversion rate in this game underscore the narrow margins separating wins and losses in the NL West, where every run counts and every miscue can swing a series. The win also marks the first time San Francisco has won back-to-back series since late April, a stretch that included eight losses in ten games. ## Frequently asked ### How many hits did Trevor McDonald allow in his six scoreless innings? McDonald allowed just one hit over his six shutout innings against Arizona. ### Who hit the go-ahead home run for the Giants? Victor Bericoto’s two-run homer in the third inning broke a 2-2 tie and provided the decisive runs. ### What was Trevor McDonald’s line in the win? McDonald pitched six scoreless innings, striking out four and walking none while allowing one hit. ### How did the Diamondbacks score their four runs? Alek Thomas drove in two runs with a two-out single in the seventh, and a wild pitch plated a third, trimming the deficit to 6-4. ### What’s the Giants’ record after this win? The Giants improved to 24-26 with the victory, while the Diamondbacks fell to 28-22. ### Who starts for the Giants in the next game of the series? Logan Webb (5-2, 3.01 ERA) is scheduled to pitch for San Francisco on Tuesday, facing Merrill Kelly. ## Sources & Citations - [Trevor McDonald allows 1 hit over 6 scoreless innings as Giants finally beat Diamondbacks, 6-4](http://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=401815992) — ESPN (2026-07-02) --- Cite: McDonald shuts down D-backs as Giants end losing streak. Sportopod, 2026-07-02. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/trevor-mcdonald-allows-1-hit-over-6-scoreless-innings-as-gia-d7729d36