Haren fans 12 as D-backs win 2-0

With an economy born of an aggressiveness, Dan Haren had more than three hours to celebrate an early birthday present, his first career shutout.

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With Los Angeles’ 6-2 victory staring at the Diamondbacks from the second inning on, Haren, who turns 28 today, responded with a four-hitter while tying a career-high with 12 strikeouts in a 2-0 victory over San Francisco Tuesday night at Chase Field.

Home runs by Chris Snyder in the third inning and Stephen Drew in the sixth gave Haren (15-8) the cushion he needed as he tied his career high in victories.

“He worked some kinks out, mentally, as far as throwing the ball over the plate,” said Arizona manager Bob Melvin. “You could tell early on he had that focus back in his eye.”

Haren had given up 26 earned runs in 40 1/3 innings in his previous seven starts, after agreeing to a four-year $44.75 million contract extension Aug. 5.

“I really didn’t do much different,” said Haren, who wrapped up the shutout in a crisp two hours, six minutes.

“I focused on hitting my spots, keeping the ball down. I was trying to get back to basics. I’ve been struggling for a while. It’s nice to get that feeling back again.”

The D-Backs (74-76) won their second straight game, the first time that has happened since a three-game sweep of San Diego on Aug. 19-21, to remain 4 1/2 games behind the Dodgers in the NL West with 12 games remaining.

“When they win, it is a must-win,” Melvin said.

“Our main thing is we have to have fun playing baseball from here on out,” Snyder said.

“We’ll see what happens as it plays out.”

Haren used mostly fastballs and breaking balls, staying away from his split-finger pitch, and did not give up a hit until Pablo Sandoval singled with two outs in the fourth.

Conor Gillaspie singled and took second on Justin Upton’s fielding error with two outs in the eighth, but Haren struck out John Bowker on a 2-2 split after seeing the stats on the scoreboard that Bowker had walked only 19 times in 310 at-bats.

“Part of being aggressive is knowing there are certain guys you can attack. I didn’t throw him a strike,” Haren said.

Haren had thrown 102 pitches, but Melvin had no trouble bringing the pitcher back out for the ninth to face the top of the Giants’ order.

“His stuff was just as good in the eighth inning as it was in the third,” Melvin said.

Haren gave up one-out singles to Randy Winn and Sandoval but got Bengie Molina, who had two homers in 18 career at-bats against him, to fly out for the second out before striking out Travis Ishikawa.

“It was special,” Haren said. “I was happy that Bob entrusted me to get the last two guys out.”

Haren said three defensive plays by first baseman Chad Tracy, including a double play that he started after fielding a hard grounder down the line, helped his approach.

“It’s hard to go out with confidence after being hit around a few times,” Haren said. “You get a few guys on and you think, here we go again. Chad made that big play in the first inning. To be able to go nine innings, you have to have some help.”

Turning point: Dan Haren struck out Travis Ishikawa with runners on first and third and two outs in the ninth inning to record his first career shutout.

Stat of the day: Haren recorded his 15th victory, tying a career high set with Oakland last year.

Unsung hero: Stephen Drew hit a home run in his first game back since attending funeral services for his grandmother in Georgia.

Just like old times: Haren’s complete game was the sixth of his career and his first since July 31, 2006, when he beat the Los Angeles Angels, 3-1. It was his second complete game against the Giants after beating them, 6-2, in interleague play on June 25, 2005.