Collmenter, Hill carry D-backs to series-opening win over Reds: By The Numbers

An eight-run first inning was not necessary Thursday night for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

That’s because right-hander Josh Collmenter was in peak form in the opener of Arizona’s four-game set with the visiting Cincinnati Reds.

Collmenter threw nine shutout innings, facing the minimum number of batters (27) in the process. He also struck out five while allowing just three hits in his first career complete game.

Second baseman Aaron Hill provided all the offense Collmenter and Co. would need with a solo shot in the fourth and an RBI single in the sixth, as the D-backs blanked the Reds by a final of 4-0.

Here’s a look back at the four-run victory by the numbers:

0:

Collmenter has made 26 total appearances against National League Central teams. After Thursday’s outing, he’s a perfect 4-0 in those outings with an ERA of 1.13.

3:

A night after being the only starting positional player not to reach base with a hit in Arizona’s 12-6 win over the San Diego Padres, Hill led the way with his fifth three-hit game of the campaign.

5:

Martin Prado’s bat continues to heat up for the D-backs. With a double off of Tony Cingrani, Prado has at least one extra-base hit in a career-high five straight games.

The D-backs third baseman added to his personal hit parade with an RBI single to right off of J.J. Hoover in the seventh.

7:

Center fielder A.J. Pollock got the scoring started in the first when he stole third after leading off the contest with a double. With the theft of third, Pollock took over the team lead with seven bags swiped.

10 and 11:

Pollock’s double in the first and triple in the seventh were his 10th and 11th extra-base hits in the month of May. His career high in any month is 12 — set back in April 2012.

13:

Collmenter became the 13th pitcher in MLB history to face the minimum number of batters while allowing three or more hits since 1914.

18:

With the win, Arizona improved to 18-11 this season when scoring the game’s first run.

750:

Since Collmenter was inserted into the starting rotation, the D-backs have a .750 winning percentage in games he’s started.

5/18/2044:

Collmenter became just the second D-backs pitcher in franchise history to face the minimum 27 batters. The other instance was back on May 18, 2004 when Randy Johnson threw a perfect game against the Atlanta Braves.

8/26/2011:

Until Thursday night, the last time the D-backs shut out an opposing team in a game Collmenter started was Aug. 26, 2011 against the San Diego Padres.