ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Zack Greinke’s hot start is among one of the best in D-backs history

May 24, 2017, 7:17 AM | Updated: 11:14 am

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zack Greinke (21) throws against the San Diego Padres during ...

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zack Greinke (21) throws against the San Diego Padres during the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, April 24, 2017, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)

(AP Photo/Matt York)

Zack Greinke dazzled fans again Monday night, coming one out shy of a complete game while giving up just one run on four hits and striking out 12 in a 5-1 D-backs victory over the White Sox.

The outing was one in a growing list of outstanding performances from the veteran.

Through his first 10 starts of the season, Greinke has been the ace the Diamondbacks thought they were getting when they signed him to a $206.5 million contract, as he has been a top of the line starter who puts the team on his back every five days and gives them a great chance to win.

The starting rotation, and in some ways the team, is led by Greinke, whose quality starts lead to less work for the bullpen while giving the offense more leeway.

Of course, the Valley is not new to great pitching.

With his hot start, Greinke has put himself in great company with elite starting pitchers that have donned a D-back uniform.

From Randy Johnson, who won four Cy Young awards in Arizona, or his fellow ace, Curt Schilling, to Brandon Webb (another Cy Young winner) and Ian Kennedy, the Diamondbacks have had some excellent pitchers throughout the years.

Although Greinke’s stats pale in comparison to what Johnson did at times (but really, whose wouldn’t), Greinke has done all he could to justify not only his contract, but the title of “ace.”

 

Arizona Diamondbacks 10-game starts through the years

 

Name/Year Win/Loss ERA Strikeouts Walks WHIP IP BAA HR CG
1999: Randy Johnson 4-2 3.40 96 26 1.15 76.2 .217 8 3
2000: Randy Johnson 7-1 1.44 113 16 0.84 81 .183 8 5
2001: Randy Johnson 5-3 2.81 111 23 0.96 73.2 .189 8 2
2001: Curt Schilling 7-1 2.99 84 10 1.04 75.1 .237 15 2
2002: Randy Johnson 8-1 2.07 95 20 1.01 74 .207 6 2
2002: Curt Schilling 8-1 3.04 107 8 0.92 74 .218 8 1
2003: Randy Johnson 3-5 5.08 67 14 1.35 62 .287 10 0
2003: Curt Schilling 4-3 3.04 82 17 0.99 71 .202 8 3
2004: Randy Johnson 5-4 2.44 86 17 0.79 70 .156 6 2
2005: Brandon Webb 6-1 3.39 54 20 1.33 69 .272 7 0
2006: Brandon Webb 7-0 2.44 48 8 1.1 73.2 .264 5 1
2007: Brandon Webb 3-3 3.86 59 27 1.33 70 .249 6 1
2008: Brandon Webb 9-1 2.69 56 17 0.98 70.1 .202 3 1
2008: Dan Haren 4-4 2.54 71 9 0.90 71 .211 8 1
2011: Ian Kennedy 5-1 3.24 56 17 1.04 66.2 .215 5 1
2012: Wade Miley 6-1 2.41 32 16 1.24 52.1 .241 2 0
2013: Patrick Corbin 8-0 1.71 56 20 1.02 68.1 .206 3 1
2016: Zack Greinke 5-3 4.59 58 13 1.31 64.2 .281 8 0
2017: Zack Greinke 6-2 2.82 78 12 0.97 67 .216 10 1

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Zack Greinke’s hot start is among one of the best in D-backs history