Arizona Diamondbacks: Quick start could pay dividends

Off to a successful start, the Arizona Diamondbacks have won five of their first six games.

Pundits like to point to games in April as equally important and meaningful as those in August and September. If the first week of the season is any indication, the Arizona Diamondbacks seem to have written that script.

Out of the gate with five wins in their initial six games, the 6-1 start ties a franchise record for the best six-game beginning in franchise history. That was set by the 2000 team and equaled in 2012, 2013 and last year.

Here in the early stage of the season, two factors appear at work to drive this success. Both are left-over from last season, and going forward, could provide the incentive and motivation as the Diamondbacks drive deeper into the season.

First, players and manager Torey Lovullo point to “linking” at-bats together. Lovullo likes to make the analogy of “passing the baton,” and told Call to the Pen that each hitter has an obligation.

“Players know where they are in the line-up,” he said. “We don’t want to make it easy for the opposition pitcher or the team w are playing. So, each player has a responsibility to themselves and their teammates.”

In the Diamondbacks marathon win over the Dodgers Monday night, two examples support the “link” theory. First and down by three with two out in the bottom of the ninth, Paul Goldschmidt and A. J. Pollock both walked ahead of Chris Owings, who then slammed a three-run homer over reliever Kenley Jensen to send that contest into extra innings. Then, in the 15^th inning, Jeff Mathis drove in winning run, but credited with Jake Lamb and Nick Ahmed for getting key hits ahead of him, and thus “linking” at-bats.

More from Arizona Diamondbacks

• Can we expect late-season runs for the Cincinnati Reds and Arizona Diamondbacks?
• MLB rumors: Arizona Diamondbacks taking less aggressive approach at MLB trade deadline
• Trade deadline: NL West for sale, plus Dodgers, Giants, Diamondbacks wish list
• Arizona Diamondbacks: Are they a pretender or contender for the NL West and more?
• Mike Hazen’s impact on the Arizona Diamondbacks: An interim grade

Then, there’s the starting pitching.

Since the end of last season and throughout spring training, Lovullo cited the production of his starters as one key factor for success last year. Since the bell rang for this season, starters have won four of the five victories and in the only defeat, Zack Greinke, received a no-decision but went a strong 5.2 innings.

Given the need to create separation in a very competition NL West, a successful start is almost imperative. After taking Clayton Kershaw over the right-field fence in helping to drive Tuesday’s win, Daniel Descalso told Call to the Pen the importance of getting quickly out of the gate.

“You saw the momentum we had last year and that carried that through a good first month,” he said. “Our job is to go out and win baseball games and play hard. We do a really good job of that around here.”

Sweeping the Dodgers …

More from Call to the Pen

• Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
• Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
• Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
• Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
• 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals

Behind the one-hit effort of Patrick Corbin Wednesday afternoon, the Diamondbacks defeated the Dodgers, 3-0 before 25,754 in Chase Field.

Corbin, who lasted into the eighth inning, set a personal record mark with 12 strikeouts. In running his season record to 2-0, Corbin enters his next start with a sparkling 1.38 ERA. As well, Corbin, now with 671 career strikeouts, passed Ian Kennedy and moved into fourth place on the club’s all-time strikeout list. Randy Johnson holds the franchise mark with 2,077 Ks.

With the win, Arizona swept the Dodgers and now has won nine straight games over L. A. That ties for the third-longest winning streak in franchise against a single opponent.

Taking to the air …

The Diamondbacks now head out on their first road trip of the season. On Thursday afternoon, they will help the Cardinals open their home campaign in St. Louis. For the season, the Diamondbacks will travel 36,460 miles. Only the Mariners, A’s, Angels, Astros, Padres, and Marlins will log more miles. The Reds fly the fewest miles at 20,736, according to mlb.com

Series opener at The Arch …

Lefty Robbie Ray will open the Cardinals series against right-hander Adam Wainwright, who is off the DL just in time to start the home opener for the Redbirds. Last season, Ray went 8-1 and a 1.86 ERA in 15 road starts.

Next: Poor defense was main reason for Tomas' demotion

In his last outing in Busch Stadium, Ray was struck in the head with a line drive and went on the disabled list from July 29 until Aug. 24. In three career starts against the Red Birds, Ray is 0-2 and a 6.52 ERA.