Collmenter quiets Cubs as D-backs put finishing touches on sweep: By The Numbers

When things are going good for a team, the little things tend to go its way.

The Arizona Diamondbacks found this out Sunday, when a fortuitous foul ball proved to be key in their third straight victory over the visiting Chicago Cubs.

With two runners on base — David Peralta and Miguel Montero — and one out in the bottom half of the sixth inning, D-backs second baseman Aaron Hill sent a foul ball toward the camera well along the first base line.

Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo amazingly snagged the foul pop-up, but in doing went over the railing.

By rule, because Rizzo’s momentum took him outside the ‘field of play,’ Peralta was awarded home plate for the go-ahead tally.

The run proved to be the difference in a contest that saw right-handers Josh Collmenter and Jake Arrieta locked in a pitcher’s duel all afternoon long, as the D-backs secured a series sweep with a 3-2 victory.

Here’s a closer look at the one-run win by the numbers:

1 Part I:

The three-game sweep was Arizona’s first at Chase Field and second overall in 2014.

1 Part II:

Mark Trumbo’s first stolen base with the D-backs was not without it’s fair share of controversy. Trumbo was initially called out on a play that would have ended the seventh frame. However upon further review, the outfielder was ruled safe at second.

The swiped bag was just the 19th of Trumbo’s career and first since Sept. 7, 2013.

1.69:

With his impressive outing, Collmenter lowered his career ERA as a starter against the Cubs to 1.69 — three earned runs allowed in 16 innings.

2:

Arizona has won the first three games after the All-Star break for just the second time (2007) in team history.

7-1:

For just the third time in 2014, Collmenter went at least seven innings while allowing one run or fewer. His last such performance came in hist last start on July 9 — a 4-3 win over the Miami Marlins.

8:

Though he finished as the hard-luck loser, Arrieta (three earned runs in 6.2 innings) earned his eighth consecutive quality start — the longest such streak of his career.

.420:

In his last 14 games, D-backs rookie David Peralta is hitting .420 (21-of-50) with 11 RBI — including Sunday’s run-scoring knocks in the sixth and seventh.

2005-06:

With Sunday’s victory, the D-backs have taken five straight from the Cubs. The last time that occurred was June 30, 2005 – July 31, 2006.

6/22/12 – 6/24/12:

The three-game sweep of Chicago was Arizona’s first at home against the “South Siders” since June 22 – 24, 2012.