Rookies in focus as Giants, Diamondbacks clash

Two prospects experiencing vastly different welcomes to the big time get another opportunity Tuesday night when Tommy Troy and the Arizona Diamondbacks visit Bryce Eldridge and the San Francisco Giants in the continuation of a three-game series.

Troy singled, scored and walked in his second big league game Monday, helping the Diamondbacks win 6-2 and continue their dominance over the Giants with a fourth straight head-to-head victory in the past eight days.

Meanwhile, Eldridge, playing for the 13th time this season after a 10-game cameo last September, went 0-for-2 with a walk.

Both arrived as potential sparkplugs for franchises that need help in their pursuit of the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres in the National League West.

For now, they're focused on staying ahead of each other, a battle currently being won by the Diamondbacks, who have won eight of nine to improve to a season-best-tying five games over .500.

In large part due to four consecutive wins over the Giants, Arizona holds a 7 1/2-game advantage over San Francisco for third place in the division.

The Diamondbacks' top pick, 12th overall, in 2023, Troy collected a double and a single in his MLB debut Sunday at home against the Colorado Rockies.

The San Jose native had his mother, father and girlfriend in the stands for his memorable moments Sunday, and Monday found himself also cheered on by former teammates at Los Gatos High and Stanford, both of which are within an hour's drive from Oracle Park.

"I thought he seemed very comfortable," Diamondbacks star Corbin Carroll told reporters after Sunday's game of his newest teammate. "I think he belonged, looked like he knew what he needed to do, took care of his business. I was impressed."

If he makes his third consecutive start Tuesday, Troy can expect to see struggling Giants right-hander Tyler Mahle (1-6, 6.10), who has lost his past two starts, allowing 11 runs and 18 hits in 10 innings.

The latest of the setbacks occurred last Wednesday in Phoenix when the Giants fell 6-3 win.

Mahle has faced the Diamondbacks six times in his career, all starts, going 0-2 with a 3.09 ERA.

He is slated to be opposed by left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez (4-1, 2.24), who threw seven shutout innings but didn't get a decision in a 2-1 home win over the Rockies last Thursday.

He didn't see the Giants on their trip to Arizona last week. He's gone 2-1 with a 5.19 ERA against them in five career starts.

Rodriguez has never faced the left-handed-hitting Eldridge, who has been used almost exclusively against right-handers (43 of 46 plate appearances) this season.

Selected four picks after Troy in 2023, Eldridge has just two extra-base hits in his 13 games this season. One came last Wednesday in Arizona, a double that was part of his 3-for-8 showing in two starts there.

He also had two hits in a 10-3 home win over the Chicago White Sox on Saturday, but walked off the field Monday night hitting just .171.

Giants manager Tony Vitello said after the loss on Monday, his team should be rested following a holiday afternoon game

"The timing is kinda nice for our team," he said. "The day-to-night provides a good (opportunity) for our guys to recover, reset and get after it (Tuesday)."

- Field Level Media