Giants waste solid start by Holland

SAN FRANCISCO – During the first weekend of the season, the Giants could point to Joe Panik as their catalyst as he single-handedly willed their offense in a pair of 1-0 victories over the Dodgers.

But after scoring fewer than two runs for the sixth time this season and losing Monday’s contest 2-1 to the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Giants will need more than their second baseman to lift the club out of an offense slump.

With a series-opening defeat, the Giants dropped to 4-5. The announced crowd of 36,997 was the smallest attendance total at AT&T Park since September 15, 2010.

In nine games, the Giants have recorded just seven hits in 61 at-bats with runners in scoring position. They were 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position against the Diamondbacks, as Gregor Blanco’s RBI groundout in the eighth inning produced the team’s only run.

Having hitters put the ball in play was a challenge against Diamondbacks starter Zack Godley, who recorded seven shutout innings and allowed just four baserunners.

Godley recorded nine strikeouts over seven innings of work, surrendering just four hits before manager Torey Lovullo gave him the hook.

Though Godley’s opponent doesn’t necessarily have a reputation as a swing-and-miss pitcher, Giants lefty Derek Holland accumulated eight strikeouts in six innings with an impressive effort against Arizona.

After battling through five innings in his first start in Los Angeles, Holland brought much improved command to AT&T Park.

In the ninth inning, Diamondbacks’ closer Archie Bradley retired the Giants in order.

In two starts, the Giants have yet to provide Holland with any run support while on the mound. San Francisco Giants pitcher Derek Holland throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first inning at AT&T Park in San Francisco.