​Phoenix — The Diamondbacks’ perfect run against the San Francisco Giants this season ended Wednesday as Zac Gallen’s latest rough outing intensified the growing frustration among fans. The right-hander failed to protect an earlier steady start, taking the loss after giving up six earned runs on six hits over 5.2 innings, including two home runs, against the Giants at Chase Field. This follows a June 20 dud at home against the Twins, when he lasted only four innings and yielded nine earned runs, further fueling discontent over his recent performances and his inability to deliver a quality start.
Gallen had been steady through four innings, allowing only one hit, but the collapse in the later frames underscored the issue. He still owns the highest ERA in MLB at 6.36 and hasn’t earned a win since June 14 against the Reds. The crowd’s disappointment is intensified by remembering the peak of Gallen, who three years ago was seen as the Diamondbacks’ ace and one of the league’s top pitchers, and who the team trusted to anchor the rotation after two turbulent seasons. The fans’ desire for that elite form remains unfulfilled as Arizona fights to stay in the playoff picture.
Wednesday’s defeat is not determinative for the season, but it serves as another reminder of how Gallen’s struggles have weighed on a team aiming to remain competitive in the NL standings. Until he rediscovers the form that once made him a top starter, the frustration around every outing is likely to persist.