Sedona Red Recap: D-backs rough up Pivetta early to win series vs. Phillies
Jun 26, 2017, 4:56 PM | Updated: Jun 27, 2017, 8:13 pm
Arizona Diamondbacks Daniel Descalso follows through on an RBI base hit during the third inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Monday, June 26, 2017, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
(AP Photo/Matt York)
PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks continue to make history this season as they steamrolled the Philadelphia Phillies by a 6-1 final score Monday at Chase Field.
This 3-1 series win gives the D-backs their 49th victory of the year and the best 77-game start in franchise history, a few games ahead of the 2001 squad’s 46-31 record at the same point in the season.
Zack Greinke got the start for Arizona and had an inconsistent outing. At times, he cruised through the Phillies lineup, putting up clean innings for the second, third, and fourth while striking out four.
But in the fifth inning, Greinke hit a wall. He walked three, gave up a RBI single to Daniel Nava, and loaded the bases before getting out of the jam. He was relieved by Silvino Bracho to start the sixth.
In the end, even a bad day looks good for Greinke. Even though he only lasted 5.0 innings, he also only allowed three hits and one earned run. He struck out five and walked three.
Greinke improves his career record against the Phillies to 8-1 with a 2.48 ERA (18 ER in 65.1 innings) in 11 career games.
Phillies starting pitcher Nick Pivetta only lasted 2.1 innings after giving up six earned runs by way of seven hits. He struck out three and walked five.
This D-backs lineup that was without Paul Goldschmidt had no problem jumping all over Pivetta early in this game. Chris Herrmann kicked things off with a leadoff home run in the bottom of the first, and Daniel Descalso contributed three RBI by way of two singles in the second and third innings.
THE GOOD
The bullpen combo of Bracho, Rubby De La Rosa, and T.J. McFarland closed the door after Greinke’s exit, allowing no runs and giving the D-backs the win. Since June 10, the D-backs bullpen is the best in the majors with a 1.04 ERA.
Herrmann led off the game with a home run on a 2-2 pitch, his first career leadoff home run and his seventh home run of the season.
Descalso is now hitting .366 in hist last seven games with six RBI.
De La Rosa looked dominant in relief. He struck out two and gave up no hits in his one inning of work.
Today’s win is the D-backs fifth consecutive series victory at home.
THE BAD
Greinke was only able to last 5.0 innings before being pulled. He got himself into a bases-loaded jam in the fifth and gave up two hits to begin the sixth inning before being pulled.
Nick Ahmed went 0-for-5 with two strikeouts and a groundout double play.
Their nine series wins so far this season equals the D-backs total series wins from 2016, which is more of reflection about how bad they were.
STAT OF THE GAME
.636 – At 49-28, the D-backs winning percentage of .636 is the best 77 game start in franchise history.
HE SAID IT
Torey Lovullo on Zack Greinke’s short outing: “I think he was getting a little frustrated, and he couldn’t command the ball the way he wanted to. I think the walk to the relief pitcher, Morgan, was a perfect indication as to where he was, and that was the height of his frustration. At that point and time, as much as we wanted to extend him — as much as we may have been thinned out in the bullpen — I think it was the right thing to take him out of the game and call it a day.”
NOTED
– Greinke has not lost to the Phillies since June 19th, 2004, a span of 13 years, 7 days.
– Herrmann’s 19 career home runs have all come in games where his team wins.
– Paul Goldschmidt, who had the day off, currently leads all MLB first basemen in WAR at 4.0. The next closest player is Joey Votto for the Reds at 2.9.
– First pitch was at 12:40 p.m. with an outdoor temperature of 112 degrees and an indoor temperature of 82.
UP NEXT
The D-backs welcome the St Louis Cardinals for a three-game set starting tomorrow.
In game one of the series with St. Louis, Taijuan Walker (6-3, 3.43 ERA) takes the mound for Arizona after being scratched from Sunday’s start against the Phillies. He will take on Carlos Martinez (6-6, 2.87 ERA) for the Cardinals. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 with pregame coverage beginning 40 minutes earlier on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM.
Walker is 3-0 in his last three starts with a 3.00 ERA. His 28 career victories make him the most successful active pitcher under the age of 25.
