So far this season, the Arizona Diamondbacks have captured every series they have participated.
At this rate, the Arizona Diamondbacks would likely run away with the National League West division title. That’s because the team continues to win series and in a set which traditionally figures to be three games, that’s playing nearly .700 baseball.
For the first time this season on Thursday night, the Arizona Diamondbacks were on the verge of losing a series and, coming into play, had their recently-completed series with the San Francisco Giants tied at one game each. With the way this one played out, the scenario seems in place for boiler-plate victory after boiler-plate victory.
Regarding the mantra manager which governs Torey Lovullo, pitching and defense wins championships, and that was evident in the rubber game of the Giants series. With starter Zack Greinke dominating both sides of the plate and forcing hitters to hit the ball to a stellar defense, the Arizona Diamondbacks came-from-behind and defeated the Giants, 3-1 before 18,736 in Chase Field.
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The victory gave the Arizona Diamondbacks their sixth straight series win and boosted their season mark to 13-5. This start to the season equals a franchise-best established in 2008. The series win extended a franchise-record to six straight to begin a season.
From start to finish, this one was drawn up in spring training and continues like a long-running Broadway play. Starter Zack Greinke, as any starter is asked, gave manager Torey Lovullo the 21 outs he likes to reference. The veteran right-hander calmly handed the baton to set-up reliever Archie Bradley, who struck out the sides on 15 pitches. Then, closer Brad Boxberger slammed the door in the ninth inning for his sixth save of the season.
Though Greinke went seven and finished with 88 pitches, he told Call to the Pen after the game that the Bradley-Boxberger combination is difficult to ignore.
"“I would like to throw nine innings every time,” he said. “At that point of the game, and how good those two guys are, they are probably better than I am at that time. I’d like to do more, but you have let your good players play.”"
Though Greinke allowed only three hits and four base runners for his seven innings, he was touched for Brandon Belt’s second homer in as many days in Chase Field. Belt’s drive into the right-field bleachers leading off the second, jump-started the Giants.
Quickly, the Arizona Diamondbacks tied matters when David Peralta singled to center that scored Jeff Mathis in the third. A. J. Pollock slammed the game-winner into the left field stands for his fourth homer of the season to lead off the sixth. Ketel Marte followed with his initial blast of the season with one out in the seventh, and that created the two-run margin of victory.
Then, Bradley and Boxberger took care of the rest.
Another key injury?
With Jake Lamb and Steven Souza, Jr. hobbling on the disabled list, utility player Chris Owings nearly join them.
In the third inning, Owings left Thursday night’s game with a contusion to the right side of his head. The play happened on a fly hit by Joe Panik in the right-center field gap. Right-fielder Owings, racing hard to his right for the ball and center fielder A. J. Pollock, moving on a dead run to his left, made contact. Owings caught the ball, but Pollock’s knee collided with Owings’ right side and then Owings’ head hit the ground hard.
Immediately, Lovullo made a change, and Jarrod Dyson finished the game in right. Owings continued to receive medical and cognitive treatment during the game and told Call to the Pen afterward, “I had a headache right after the collision, but feel fine now.”
Owings is expected to undergo further evaluation on Friday.
For the weekend …
The San Diego Padres make their initial visit of the season for a three-game series.
In the opener Friday night, Matt Koch, just recalled from Triple-A Reno, gets the start and replaces Taijuan Walker, who undergoes Tommy John surgery next week, in the rotation. He draws right-hander Tyson Ross (2-1, 3.50).
In the middle game Saturday, look for Zack Godley (2-1, 3.00) to face lefty Clayton Richard (1-1, 5.73). In the Sunday and finale of the current homestand, it’s lefty Patrick Corbin (3-0, 1.65) facing left-hander Joey Lucchesi (2-0, 1.66).
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Then, it’s off to the east coast for three against the Phillies and three against the Nationals. The Arizona Diamondbacks return to Chase Field to face the Dodgers on Monday, April 30.