Alex Cobb throws 2nd career shutout, Giants beat Cardinals 4-0

SAN FRANCISCO — Alex Cobb pitched his first shutout in 11 years and J.D. Davis hit a three-run homer, leading the Giants to a 4-0 win over the St. Louis Cardinals in the opener of a four-game series Monday night.

Cobb (1-1) scattered six hits and struck out four in his fifth career complete game and first since 2018 with Baltimore. His only other major league shutout was a four-hitter for Tampa Bay against Oakland in August 2012.

“It was one of the better pitching performances that we’ve seen in the last several years,” Giants manager Gabe Kapler said. “I thought the (splitter) was excellent.”

It was the third complete game in the majors this season. Yankees ace Gerrit Cole and Marlins right-hander Sandy Alcantara, the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner, each tossed a shutout against Minnesota this month.

Cobb walked one and threw 70 of his 109 pitches for strikes. He ended his gem in style, striking out Tyler O'Neill for the final out as San Francisco won its third straight game for the first time this year.

“There were just a ton of (defensive) plays today,” Cobb said. “What’d I have, three or four strikeouts? So there were a lot of plays to be made and the guys made them.”

St. Louis second baseman Tommy Edman committed a costly error to spark a four-run rally in the seventh inning. Edman mishandled a routine grounder by Mike Yastrzemski, leading to four unearned runs.

Mitch Haniger broke the scoreless tie with a sacrifice fly in his Giants debut after coming off the injured list before the game. Davis followed with a three-run shot, his team-leading fifth homer of the year.

Cardinals starter Jordan Montgomery (2-3) allowed an unearned run and five hits in six-plus innings. He struck out six but took his third straight loss.

“He got stronger as the game went on,” St. Louis manager Oliver Marmol praised. "That’s the most I’ve seen him actually pitch with an edge. He was on. He was super competitive.”

St. Louis has lost all eight series openers this season, matching a dubious franchise record set in 1988. The Cardinals are the only team in the majors yet to win a series opener.

“We’re not going to give in,” Marmol said. “Other people would. There’s no way anybody in that clubhouse, staff, players included, is going to give in to what’s going on right now."

Marathon at-bat

It took 13 pitches for Montgomery to strike out Thairo Estrada in the first. Estrada fouled off nine pitches, including six in a row with a 3-2 count, before finally swinging and missing at a sharp curveball.

Hot corner highlights

Each starting third baseman saved a run with a stellar defensive play. In the bottom of the fourth, with runners on first and second, Brendan Donovan made a diving stop and strong throw to take a hit and RBI away from Austin Slater. The very next inning, with the bases loaded, Davis charged a slow roller by Lars Nootbaar and made an off-balance throw to first.

Trainer’s room

Giants: C Joey Bart exited with right groin tightness in the seventh after doubling to left field. He began limping between first and second base, but was able to walk off the field under his own power. ... Haniger (left oblique strain) and Slater (strained left hamstring) came off the injured list to make their season debuts. 1B/OF Darin Ruf was placed on the 10-day IL with right wrist inflammation and OF Brett Wisely was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento to make room on the active roster.

Up next

RHP Jake Woodford (1-2, 6.05 ERA) pitches Tuesday night for St. Louis. RHP John Brebbia (1-0, 5.63) goes for San Francisco, likely as an opener.