CLICK HERE if you are having a problem viewing the photos on a mobile device
SAN FRANCISCO — Ron Wotus’ hand was up well before Abiatal Avelino touched third base, but it didn’t seem to matter.
Despite a late jump, Avelino ran right through the stop sign of the Giants’ third base coach with one out in the sixth inning and headed for home after Brandon Crawford had singled to right field.
Avelino was easily tagged out by Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Carson Kelly after an accurate throw from Jarrod Dyson. A short while later with two outs and the bases loaded, Donovan Solano struck out looking on a Matt Andriese fastball.
The Giants had a handful of missed opportunities Monday at Oracle Park at a time when there’s little room for error. They scored two runs in the ninth inning, but otherwise left 11 runners on base in a 6-4 loss to the equally desperate Diamondbacks.
The Giants (65-66) are now 4 1/2 games back of the Chicago Cubs for the second wild card spot in the National League, and now have one more team to catch after Arizona (66-66) moved into second place in the West.
The Giants finish their two-game series with the Diamondbacks on Tuesday and will host the San Diego Padres for four games from Thursday to Sunday.
Giants reliever Trevor Gott, who turned 27 on Monday, had to leave the game with two outs in the seventh inning.
Gott, 7-0 this season with a 4.15 ERA in 52 innings before Monday, had just walked Ketel Marte to load the bases. Gott’s last pitch was a 92 mph fastball, which was about two miles an hour slower than normal.
Looking for his first win this month, Giants starter Tyler Beede was largely solid in 5 2/3 innings before he ran in trouble.
Evan Longoria couldn’t handle a sharply hit ball to the second base spot by Eduardo Escobar. Christian Walker then singled before a wild pitch by Beede allowed Escobar to score from third. Wilmer Flores then drove in another run for a 3-1 Arizona lead, and Beede’s night was done.
Beede had four strikeouts and no walks, and retired nine of 10 batters from the third to fifth innings, but is now 0-5 in his last seven starts.
