Suarez, Slater lead Giants past D-Backs

Andrew Suarez pitched six strong innings, Austin Slater had a pair of RBI doubles and the San Francisco Giants opened a weekend series in Arizona with a 2-1 victory over the Diamondbacks on Friday night.

Suarez (3-4) gave up a run, scattering seven hits in his first win in five starts. The left-hander struck out five and walked two.

Slater, recalled from Triple-A Sacramento four times this season – most recently last Saturday – doubled in a run off Patrick Corbin in the second and knocked in the go-ahead score off Andrew Chafin (1-3) in the seventh. Slater, who entered the game 4 for 15 in the majors this season, also singled.

Will Smith pitched a perfect ninth for his first save since April 13, 2014. San Francisco relievers retired the last 12 batters they faced.

Chafin, relieving Corbin in a 1-1 tie, walked Brandon Crawford, who scored from first when Slater doubled to the right-center gap.

Corbin limited San Francisco to a run on four hits, striking out five and walking one in six innings, but left with his second straight no decision. In his previous outing, Corbin blanked Pittsburgh on three hits for seven innings and matched his career strikeout best with 12.

Corbin last won on June 5 at San Francisco.

The NL West-leading Diamondbacks opened a 10-game homestand after an 8-2 trip.

The Giants took a 1-0 lead in the second. Buster Posey led off with a single and took second when Chris Owings bobbled the ball in center. Slater brought Posey home with a one-out double.

The Diamondbacks finally got to Suarez tied it in the sixth. Ketel Marte led off with a double to the fence in right-center. Owings was called out on a groundout to third on a close play. Arizona challenged and the call was overturned after a video review, leaving runners at first and third and no outs.

Jake Lamb’s sacrifice fly to left brought home Marte and made it 1-all.