D-backs ready for Giants again after offensive onslaught

The Arizona Diamondbacks' bats came alive Friday night, when they only got a peek at their newest potential weapon.

Arizona opened a three-game series at San Francisco with an 18-2 victory, scoring a season high in runs after entering the game with a total of 12 runs during a five-game losing streak.

Before the Friday game, the big news around the Diamondbacks was the promotion of 26-year-old rookie first baseman Kevin Cron, whose 21 home runs and 62 RBIs at Triple-A Reno led all of the minor leagues. He also was hitting .339 in 44 games.

Cron didn't start Friday night, but he entered in the bottom of the seventh as a defensive replacement for first baseman Christian Walker and struck out in the eighth. That at-bat did feature a line drive down the left field line that was just a couple of feet foul.

The big right-hander is expected to get spot starts at first base, and with a day game following a Friday night contest, maybe Saturday is the right spot. Walker has been struggling, striking out four times Friday night. He is hitting .187 (14-for-75) in May.

Cron's brother, C.J. Cron, is an infielder for the Twins, and his dad, former major-leaguer Chris Cron, is the manager in Reno. Chris Cron went to his son's hotel room in El Paso, Texas, to tell him about the promotion to the majors.

"Growing up, there are thousands of ways you dream about getting your call, and until this year, none of those dreams ever included my Pops being the one to do it," Cron told Fox Sports Arizona.

"It was a really special moment for us, and I'm happy with how it went down. I opened the door, and he goes, 'Let's go, start packing up ... You have a flight in a hour and a half.' We gave a big hug, may have shed a couple of tears. It was awesome."

San Francisco left-hander Andrew Suarez (0-1, 4.50 ERA) will make his second start of the season Saturday. Suarez gave up three runs and four hits in six innings in a loss to the Atlanta Braves on Monday.

Suarez, 26, started 29 games for the Giants last season before getting squeezed out of the rotation this spring, in part because the team signed free agent lefty Drew Pomeranz.

"I'm sure that was a shot of adrenaline for him to get back here," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "I'm sure he was disappointed he didn't break (spring training) with us. He came up with a sense of determination to go out there and throw a good ballgame."

Suarez is 1-2 with a 7.16 ERA in three career starts against Arizona. The Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte is 5-for-9 with a home run against Suarez.

Arizona is expected to recall 25-year-old rookie Taylor Clarke (0-1, 2.00 ERA) from Reno to make his second career start. He allowed two runs and seven hits in six innings at the Tampa Bay Rays on May 7, taking the loss in a 6-3 decision. The right-hander was sent back down after the start because the D-backs needed a fresh bullpen arm.

Clarke made his debut on April 20, picking up a save by pitching three scoreless innings in a 6-0 win at the Chicago Cubs.

Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford has missed two consecutive games because of pink eye. Bochy said Crawford has been available off the bench.

--Field Level Media