By the numbers: D-backs enjoy strong week at the plate, on the mound

Apr 8, 2019, 9:37 AM | Updated: 9:39 am

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Sports

It was a much better second week of the season for the Arizona Diamondbacks, who rebounded from a 1-3 opening week against the Los Angeles Dodgers to win series against the San Diego Padres and Boston Red Sox.

The D-backs sit at 5-5 after the second week of play and host the Texas Rangers for a two-game set starting Tuesday before closing out the week with four more games against the Padres.

Arizona was able to enjoy a successful week behind strong pitching performances and offensive outputs that continue to surprise.

Here are the key numbers from the D-backs’ second week of play:

The numbers of D-backs hitters who rank in the top 10 of the National League in hits. Entering Sunday night, David Peralta led all NL hitters with 19 hits while Adam Jones was third with 16. Nick Ahmed and Ketel Marte each had 12 hits.

6.5

Runs per game the D-backs averaged in their six games of the week. That includes a one-run output on Wednesday against San Diego and a scoreless game on Sunday against Boston. Arizona scored 15 runs in their home opener against the Red Sox and eight or more runs twice against the Padres.

Strikes Merrill Kelly threw in his 94 pitches on Sunday against the Red Sox. Numbers-wise, he’s been the best D-backs starter through two games in terms of ERA (2.57), WHIP (0.79) and innings pitched (14). Not bad for a No. 5 starter who entered the year with no MLB experience.

Errors the D-backs made in their six games of the week. Arizona prides itself on defense and it showed, especially in the weekend series win over the Red Sox. Wilmer Flores made a spectacular play at second base on Saturday and Adam Jones made a high degree of difficulty catch in right field on Sunday.

9.00

Yoshihisa Hirano’s ERA through four games. Is it time to get concerned about the reliever? He’s given up runs in three of his four appearances, including the game-tying run on Saturday against Boston. Archie Bradley and Greg Holland have been nails so far, but Hirano needs to get right to solidify the back end of the D-backs bullpen.

.282

Batting average from the D-backs’ catchers so far this season. Last season, no D-backs catcher hit over .202. Alex Avila had a rough season at the plate in 2018, hitting .165, but was hitting .333 with two home runs this season before landing on the IL on Sunday. Carson Kelly has two game-winning hits already, including Saturday’s walk-off single.

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The Arizona Diamondbacks celebrate after defeating the Boston Red Sox in a baseball game, Saturday, April 6, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Carson Kelly is doused after hitting a walkoff single to defeat the Boston Red Sox in a baseball game, Saturday, April 6, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher David Price throws in the first inning during a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Saturday, April 6, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Luke Weaver throws in the first inning during a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Saturday, April 6, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts makes the off balance throw for an out against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first inning during a baseball game, Saturday, April 6, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher David Price (10) hits an RBI-single in the second inning during a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Saturday, April 6, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Adam Jones watches his RBI-single in the second inning during a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Saturday, April 6, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Nick Ahmed hits an RBI-single in the second inning during a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Saturday, April 6, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Wilmer Flores, top, turns a double play while avoiding Boston Red Sox's Andrew Benintendi (16) on a ball hit by Mookie Betts in the fifth inning during a baseball game, Saturday, April 6, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Boston Red Sox's Steve Pearce reacts after being called out on strikes in the fifth inning during a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Saturday, April 6, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Boston Red Sox's J.D. Martinez reacts after hitting a pinch-hit single in the seventh inning during a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Saturday, April 6, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Boston Red Sox 's Jackie Bradley Jr.,right, slides to score a run in the seventh inning during a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Saturday, April 6, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Wilmer Flores makes an off-balance throw to get the out on a ball hit by Arizona Diamondbacks'David Peralta in the sixth inning during a baseball game, Saturday, April 6, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

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