In third season with D-backs, Zack Greinke caps 2018 with win over LA

Sep 26, 2018, 9:57 PM | Updated: 10:05 pm

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zack Greinke throws to a Los Angeles Dodgers batter during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

BY MATT LAYMAN

Arizona Sports

D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said before Wednesday’s game that Zack Greinke would not pitch against the Padres in the upcoming series in San Diego.

That meant Greinke’s outing against his former team, the Los Angeles Dodgers, would be his last in 2018. He went out and pitched 6.0 innings, allowing two runs on eight hits and two walks with six strikeouts in the D-backs’ 7-2 win over the Dodgers.

And thus, he finishes his season with 199 strikeouts.

But despite the fact that he fell just painfully short of a big milestone (it would’ve been the 14th time in D-backs history that a pitcher recorded 200 strikeouts in a season), his season was a success by most measures. The 34-year-old pitched 207.2 innings, recording a 3.21 ERA and (almost) 200 punchouts. He averaged 8.6 strikeouts per nine innings and was selected as a National League All-Star.

Those are stark improvements from his first year in Sedona Red.

When Greinke signed a six-year, $206.5 million contract before the 2016 season, expectations were high. He pitched on Opening Day and gave up seven runs in his D-backs debut, and finished the season with a 4.37 ERA.

He has since put up back-to-back All-Star seasons with an ERA around 3.20. His 2018 season wasn’t like his campaign in 2015 for LA when he posted a league-best 1.66 ERA, but then again, that would’ve been nearly impossible to match. His outing on Wednesday completed a 33-start season in which the right-hander compiled his second year of above-average numbers in three years with Arizona.

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Arizona Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte (4) slides safely into second base ahead of the tag by Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Chris Taylor (3), after a fielding error by Dodgers center fielder Cody Bellinger, during the sixth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Scott Alexander gets a new baseball after giving up a three-run home run to Arizona Diamondbacks' A.J. Pollock during the fifth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks' A.J. Pollock swings on a three-run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fifth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Yasiel Puig breaks his bat over his leg after flyiing out against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fifth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Yasiel Puig holds the bat he broke over his leg after flying out against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fifth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Ross Stripling (68) holds the baseball as manager Dave Roberts (30) walks out to remove Stripling during the second inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Socrates Brito (19) celebrates his home run with A.J. Pollock (11) as Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal, right, pauses at home plate during the second inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Zack Greinke connects for an RBI single against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the second inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Ross Stripling flips the ball in the air after giving up an RBI single to Arizona Diamondbacks' Zack Greinke during the second inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Max Muncy, right, heads home to score as Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Jeff Mathis, left, waits for a possible throw during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Nick Ahmed makes a late, off-balance throw to first base in a vain attempt to get Los Angeles Dodgers' Max Muncy during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Nick Ahmed reaches out to field a grounder hit by Los Angeles Dodgers' Max Muncy, but is unable to get the throw to first base in time, during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Los Angeles Dodgers starter Ross Stripling throws a pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zack Greinke throws to a Los Angeles Dodgers batter during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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