Robbie Ray limits damage, D-backs move to 6-1 after beating Cardinals

Apr 5, 2018, 8:35 PM

(AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Suns reporter, ArizonaSports.com editor

While some of the same problems persisted from his first start, Arizona Diamondbacks left-hander Robbie Ray had a much better day on Thursday against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Ray went six innings, striking out nine, walking five and giving up one earned run over 98 pitches in the D-backs’ 3-1 win over the Cardinals.

Needless to say, it was an improvement for Ray after his seven runs (six earned) allowed against the Colorado Rockies in start number one of 2018.

After Ray himself brought in a run with a sacrifice fly in the top of the second inning and David Peralta’s single on the next at-bat knocked in another, Ray ran into trouble.

Marcell Ozuna singled to start the bottom half of the inning and Jose Martinez walked, putting two runners on with no outs. Ray would work himself out of it, though, getting Yadier Molina to line out and striking out the next two hitters.

Peralta picked up his second RBI of the night on a double in the fourth to make it 3-0 D-backs.

The bottom of that inning in the same part of the Cardinals order would once again cause Ray problems.

He walked Matt Carpenter, and after getting Ozuna to pop out, Martinez walked for the second time. This time, Molina made Ray pay, hitting a double to left and bringing home Carpenter.

It looked like Ray could start to unravel, but again, Ray struck out the last two batters of the inning to get out of the jam.

Ray started the fifth and six innings with walks but retired three straight hitters after each to hold off the Cardinals.

The bullpen did well to limit the drama in the final three innings.

Yoshihisa Hirano recorded a 1-2-3 seventh inning and the combination of Andrew Chafin and Archie Bradley took care of the eighth inning, giving up only one hit.

Brad Boxberger pitched a perfect ninth inning for his third save of the season and a D-backs win to move them to 6-1 on the season.

UP NEXT

The two teams will resume the three-game series on Saturday. Zack Greinke will have his second start of the season while Michael Wacha is on the mound for St. Louis. First pitch is set for 11:15 a.m. on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.

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St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Thursday, April 5, 2018, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Robbie Ray throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Thursday, April 5, 2018, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Daniel Descalso (3) scores between St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright, left, and catcher Yadier Molina during the second inning of a baseball game Thursday, April 5, 2018, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright, left, talks in the dugout with pitching coach Mike Maddux during the third inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Thursday, April 5, 2018, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Arizona Diamondbacks' David Peralta follows through on an RBI-single during the second inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Thursday, April 5, 2018, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Cardinals' Adam Wainwright (50) is removed by manager Mike Matheny, left, as catcher Yadier Molina watches during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Thursday, April 5, 2018, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Cardinals' Adam Wainwright walks off the field after being removed during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Thursday, April 5, 2018, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Yairo Munoz is unable to stop a single by Arizona Diamondbacks' Chris Owings during the fourth inning of a baseball game Thursday, April 5, 2018, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Cardinals' Marcell Ozuna pauses after flying out during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Thursday, April 5, 2018, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Cardinals' Harrison Bader, bottom, is out at second as Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Chris Owings turns a double play during the fifth inning of a baseball game Thursday, April 5, 2018, in St. Louis. Cardinals' Tommy Pham was out at first. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Cardinals' Yadier Molina yells after lining out to end the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Thursday, April 5, 2018, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Chris Owings, right, is tagged out by St. Louis Cardinals' Jose Martinez after being picked off during the seventh inning of a baseball game Thursday, April 5, 2018, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Yoshihisa Hirano throws during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Thursday, April 5, 2018, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Yoshihisa Hirano rubs up a new ball during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Thursday, April 5, 2018, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Yoshihisa Hirano follows through on a pitch during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Thursday, April 5, 2018, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Yoshihisa Hirano pauses on the mound during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Thursday, April 5, 2018, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Alex Avila, left, catches a foul ball by St. Louis Cardinals' Greg Garcia as Diamondbacks third baseman Daniel Descalso watches during the seventh inning of a baseball game Thursday, April 5, 2018, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Cardinals' Paul DeJong flips his bat after striking out to end a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Thursday, April 5, 2018, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

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