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PHOENIX -- The surging San Francisco Giants have made the NL West a little more intriguing.
Brandon Belt and Joe Panik drove in two runs each, Hunter Pence had a pinch-hit, two-run double, and the Giants completed a three-game sweep with a 9-6 victory over the division-leading Arizona Diamondbacks. It was San Francisco's seventh win in eight games and their first sweep of the Diamondbacks since September of 2016. San Francisco moved into a second-place tie at 2 1/2 games behind Arizona for the first time since June 10.
A four-run fifth inning highlighted by Pence's double off reliever Silvino Bracho gave the Giants an 8-3 lead. Cory Gearrin (1-1) got one out in the fourth inning to earn the win in relief of starter Derek Holland.
Afterward, manager Bruce Bochy praised the veteran Pence -- who is primarily a bench player at present -- for accepting his role.
"He is our spiritual leader. I know his role has changed and he has handled it so well. This is a little bit of a change for him and it is not easy," Bochy said. "He has a great attitude and just wants to help the club win."
The Giants tagged starter Zack Godley (9-6) for seven runs on nine hits in four-plus innings, ending his four-game winning streak. But Holland didn't make it out of the fourth, chased after loading the bases with an intentional walk with San Francisco leading 4-3.
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The Diamondbacks couldn't take advantage, as Belt raced well beyond the first base bag into shallow right field to throw out Christian Walker at first and end the inning.
"We feel like we are in a good rhythm," Pence said. "It's part of baseball and we feel like we are working on all cylinders and that is definitely momentum."
Holland allowed three runs on seven hits in 3 2/3 innings.
Godley's five walks were the second most he's issued in a start this season.
"I couldn't locate certain pitches and they took advantage of that," Godley said. "They're swinging the bat really well right now, one through nine."
Arizona rallied with two runs in the seventh on Paul Goldschmidt's 18th home run of the season, and Jarrod Dyson became the eighth player in team history to record at least two hits, two RBIs and two stolen bases in a game.
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The Diamondbacks brought the tying run to the plate in the ninth with two outs, but Will Smith struck out Jake Lamb for Smith's second save.
"They kicked our butts. They came in here and beat us, straight up," Lamb said.
FREQUENT FLIER
To help provide coverage for the bullpen in the midst of a long stretch without an off day, Arizona called up Bracho from Triple-A Reno before Sunday's game. Pitcher Jimmy Sherfy was sent back to Reno. Bracho has been recalled five times this season.
FIRST PITCH FOR FIRST PICK
Recently drafted Phoenix Suns big man Deandre Ayton, the first overall pick in June's NBA Draft, threw out the ceremonial first pitch before Sunday's game.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Diamondbacks INF Ketel Marte was held out after suffering a right leg cramp in Saturday's game. Manager Torey Lovullo said he felt the team "dodged a bullet" as far a more serious injury.
WALKER IN LEFT
Walker, normally a first baseman, started Sunday in left field for the first time in his 44-game major-league career. It was an uneventful game in the field.
UP NEXT
Diamondbacks: LHP Robbie Ray (3-0) is set to face the St. Louis Cardinals in the series opener at Chase Field on Monday.
