Edwin Jackson gives up 4 runs on 5 hits in 4 2-3 innings as Diamondbacks lose to Giants 4-3
By APSunday, March 21, 2010
D-backs’ Jackson struggles vs. Giants in 4-3 loss
TUCSON, Ariz. — Edwin Jackson struggled against San Francisco on Sunday, allowing four runs on five hits over 4 2-3 innings of the Arizona Diamondbacks’ 4-3 loss to the Giants.
Jackson issued four walks, struck out none and gave up a three-run home run to John Bowker in the first inning. The results weren’t good, but Jackson said he felt healthy as he worked on his mechanics.
“Don’t get me wrong, results are good,” Jackson said. “But it’s about how you feel. You’re trying to get a sense of where you are and what you need to work on, working out the kinks and everything.”
Right-hander Kevin Pucetas allowed one run — his first of the spring — in five innings. Pucetas had pitched nine scoreless innings before Sunday.
“It makes it easier to pitch when your offense puts up four in the first two innings,” Pucetas said. “It kind of takes the pressure off a little bit, just go out there and compete and throw strikes and try to work ahead of guys so they can put it in play.”
Pucetas is competing for the Giants’ No. 5 spot with non-roster invitee Todd Wellemeyer and prospect Madison Bumgarner.
“It’s one of those things that’s out of my control,” Pucetas said. “As long as I can keep going out there and be competitive and getting outs and pitching my game, hopefully everything else can take care of itself.”
The Diamondbacks cut the lead to 4-2 on Jeff Bailey’s solo home run in the seventh and tacked on another run on Ryan Roberts’ RBI double in the ninth. But Roberts was tagged out trying to extend the double into a triple.
“It’s a mental error more than a physical error, and we had a couple of those today,” Arizona manager A.J. Hinch said. “It’s not surprising this time of spring training, but it doesn’t make it acceptable.”
Arizona’s Conor Jackson led off the bottom of the first with a single, stole second, advanced on a single and scored on a double play.
NOTES: Two-time Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum didn
