Arizona Diamondbacks: Patrick Corbin raises level of his game

By Mark Brown | Aug 28, 2017

Patrick Corbin is 4-0 in last four starts with 0.30 ERA. (Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /

In his last 29 innings, Patrick Corbin of the Arizona Diamondbacks has allowed one earned run and is 4-0 in four starts.

If the Arizona Diamondbacks are to remain competition for a spot in post-season play, the resurgence of starter Patrick Corbin will provide a substantial and important boost.

After languishing below the .500 mark for most of the season, Corbin, in the last several weeks experienced a complete turnaround. For a pitcher on the bubble between retaining his spot in the rotation and banishment to the bullpen, he’s suddenly put on the brakes and reversed gears.

With another stellar performance on Sunday against the San Francisco Giants before 23,210 at Chase Field, Corbin turned in his fourth straight effort of one run or less. With seven solid scoreless innings, Corbin’s endeavor was the catalyst to an 11-0 victory over the Giants, and a sweep of the weekend series.

While Corbin held opposing hitters at arm’s length, the offense slammed four homers, including a pair from J.D. Martinez. With Paul Goldschmidt, Martinez and Daniel Descalso clearing the fence in the eighth, that marked the second time this season the Diamondbacks have hit back-to-back-to-back homers.

The sweep was the first over the Giants at Chase Field in five years.

At this point, it’s easy to say that Corbin is totally focused and clearly in a zone. In his last four starts against the Cubs, Astros, Mets and Giants, he has allowed one run in those four games. That tally was a homer by the Mets’ Yoenis Cespedes and nothing before nor after.

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In those four starts, he is 4-0 with a 0.30 ERA and 29 strikeouts. Corbin earned a victory in each of his last four starts for the first time since his career-long seven-game winning streak from April 28 to June 2, 2013.

More importantly for the Diamondbacks, Corbin now gives Arizona three quality starters, including Zack Greinke and Robbie Ray, capable of shutting down any opponent on any night. Add the tenacity of Zack Godley and Taijuan Walker, whose ERA of 3.55 is better than his 7-7 record, and this rotation appears set for a competitive stretch run.

After allowing a lead-off single to Jarrett Parker in the seventh, manager Torey Lovullo pulled Corbin and turned matters over to the bullpen. Despite allowing one run combined in each of his last four starts, Corbin has not completed any game. After Sunday’s effort, he told Call to the Pen that is of little concern.

"“(Torey) has done a great job of leaving the starters in a position to win,” he said. “We have a great bullpen, and it’s easy to hand the ball over to them.”"

At this point, there’s no secret to Corbin’s recent success. Two factors are at work here, and the first starts with fastball command. First pitch strikes are also vital, and Sunday against the Giants, Corbin hit the strike zone on the first pitch 15 times of the 25 hitters he faced.

For the contest, Corbin allowed five hits, walked one, struck out eight and allowed only one runner to reach as far as second base. That was Kelby Tomlinson, who reached second with a one-out double in the first inning.

Another reason for success, Lovullo told Call to the Pen after the game, is Corbin was becoming a creature of habit.

"“Patrick is repeating his delivery, and letting the delivery work for him,” Lovullo said. “That’s important for any pitcher, and now he shows complete execution. Right now, Patrick is really locked in.”"

Up Next

After the Diamondbacks have a day off Monday, the Los Angeles Dodgers roll into the desert for three. As this series sets up, the Diamondbacks will miss the Dodgers’ top three pitchers, Clayton Kershaw (on the DL), Alex Wood and Yu Darvish, who are not slated to start in this set.

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In the opener Tuesday night, Zack Godley (5-7, 3.15 ERA) will take on left Rich Hill (9-5, 3.32). On Wednesday night, it’s lefty Robbie Ray (10-5, 3.00) opposing lefty Hyun Jin-Ryu (5-6, 3.34). In the series finale Thursday afternoon, Zack Grienke (15-6, 3.14) takes on right-hander Kenta Maeda (12-5, 3.76).

The Diamondbacks then embark on a six-game road trip that includes three with the Rockies at Coors Field and three more with L.A. at Dodger Stadium.

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