The Diamondbacks missed another opportunity to gain a game in the wild-card chase, falling to the San Francisco Giants, 11-5, on Sept. 8 in the opening game of a key three-game series at Oracle Park.

Though the New York Mets lost earlier in the day, the Diamondbacks, for the second consecutive day, were unable to shave a game off their lead for the third and final wild-card spot. They remain 4 1/2 games behind the Mets and are 1 1/2 games back of the Giants and a half-game back of the Cincinnati Reds. At 72-73, the Diamondbacks again are under .500 with 17 games remaining in their season.

The loss continues a pattern of sorts for the Diamondbacks, who have won four in a row on three occasions since Aug. 19; each of those four-game winning streaks has been followed by back-to-back losses.

The Diamondbacks’ pitching staff was bludgeoned by the Giants, who swatted five homers, two off starter Nabil Crismatt and three more off reliever Anthony DeSclafani.

The Diamondbacks grabbed an early 3-0 lead on Jake McCarthy’s bases-clearing triple in the second inning, but the Giants fought back to tie the game at 4 before taking control in a five-run sixth inning.

That inning began with an error by shortstop Geraldo Perdomo, who had trouble getting a ground ball out of his glove before unleashing an inaccurate throw to first. The Giants wasted no time taking advantage.

Luis Matos followed with a walk and Jung Hoo Lee singled to load the bases and chase reliever Brandyn Garcia from the game. DeSclafani entered, and the first three Giants hitters he faced went double (Christian Koss), sac fly (Patrick Bailey) and homer (Heliot Ramos).

Coming up

Sept. 9: At San Francisco, 6:45 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Zac Gallen (11-13, 4.77) vs. Giants LHP Robbie Ray (10-6, 3.31).

Sept. 10: At San Francisco, 12:45 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (7-8, 5.22) vs. Giants RHP Carson Seymour (1-2, 4.25).

Sept. 11: Off day

Sept. 12: At Minnesota, 5:10 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Brandon Pfaadt (12-8, 5.33) vs. Twins TBA.

(This story has been updated to add new information.)