Miley, Montero carry D-backs to series-clinching win over Cubs: By The Numbers

It was clear from the onset Saturday night that Arizona Diamondbacks left-hander Wade Miley did not have the same stuff that guided him to a 2-0 record with a 1.25 ERA through three July starts.

Miley allowed three consecutive singles in the opening inning, as the Chicago Cubs got on the board early in the second game of their three-game set at Chase Field.

But the 27-year-old limited the damage early and settled down as the evening progressed.

In seven innings of work, the third-year pro gave up three runs on seven hits to go along with seven strikeouts.

He wasn’t stellar, but then again he didn’t have to be.

The D-backs’ offense broke through in the bottom half of the fifth inning, tagging Cubs left-hander Travis Wood for four runs — highlighted by a bases-clearing double from Miguel Montero.

Montero’s two-bagger, Miley’s gutsy effort and three insurance tallies provided by Paul Goldschmidt did the trick against a woeful Chicago side, as Arizona claimed the series win with a come-from-behind 9-3 victory.

Here’s a look back at the six-run rout by the numbers:

1-of-4:

In addition to his RBI double in the sixth and two-run bomb in the eighth, All-Star first baseman Paul Goldschmidt was issued two free passes in the win. Goldschmidt has been walked 58 times thus far — which accounts for a little more than a quarter of Arizona’s total on the year.

3:

For just the third time in 2014, Montero recorded at least three RBI in a game. His last such performance came in a 16-8 victory over the Colorado Rockies. That evening he drove in six.

3-0:

Miley improved to 3-0 in his career vs. Chicago at Chase Field. In 22.2 innings of work at home, the Louisiana native has allowed just five earned runs against the Cubs.

4:

Welington Castillo’s solo shot in the fourth ended Miley’s four-game streak of not allowing a home run.

For the year, Miley has given up 18 long balls — three shy of his personal high.

5 Part I:

On the night, Goldschmidt reached base in all five of his plate appearances.

5 Part II:

In the fifth, Gerardo Parra was gunned down by Castillo while attempting to steal second.

Parra has been thrown out trying to swipe a bag five times this season — a staggering number considering he only has 10 total attempts through the first 98 games.

55:

Montero extended his RBI lead among major league catchers with No. 53, No. 54 and No. 55 in the win. The next closest challenger is the Giants’ Buster Posey (48).

20:

In just his second clean-up hole appearance with the D-backs, Mark Trumbo went 1-for-5 with an infield single for his 20th RBI of 2014.

66:

Outfielder Cody Ross was removed from the game in the second inning after experiencing tightness in his calf while running the bases. Ross, who is making $8.5 million in 2014, has played in just 66 percent of the team’s games so far this season.

.769:

Of late, Arizona has been lights out against Chicago. In their last 13 home contests with the Cubs, the D-backs are an impressive 10-3 — .769 winning percentage.