Grit Index: Randall Delgado earns a win over the Mets

He was an afterthought in the Justin Upton trade, a Reno Ace on Opening Day, a second runner-up in the competition for the No. 5 starter role, without teammates Paul Goldschmidt and Gerardo Parra in the lineup and winless in Sedona Red, yet Randall Delgado was the first Arizona Diamondbacks starter to earn a win since June 5.

Who could have predicted that Delgado would be the one to snap the starting rotation’s 24-game winless stretch by outdueling New York Mets ace Matt Harvey?

Both pitchers cruised through the first three innings of Wednesday night’s rain-delayed game, allowing just two hits apiece.

Then, in the fourth, the Mets stung Delgado with a pair of solo home runs off the bats of David Wright and Josh Satin.

While the Diamondbacks’ 2-3-4 hitters found success against Harvey, reaching base eight times between them, it wasn’t until the top of the sixth that the team was able to plate a run, when Cody Ross hit his second home run of the series at Citi Field, this one a towering three-run shot. The homer was just the sixth Harvey has given up all year. (Only Adam Wainwright and Lance Lynn have given up fewer long balls among NL pitchers this season.)

Eric Chavez, who was 2-for-5 on the night, drove in lead-off man and Wednesday call-up Tony Campana on a double to the wall the next inning. Miguel Montero, who reached base in four of his five plate appearances, managed to plate Aaron Hill on a sacrifice fly in the next at-bat, putting the Diamondbacks up 5-2.

Delgado didn’t allow a Mets batter to see second base after surrendering the fourth-inning home runs, pushing through seven strong innings, walking none and striking out nine on 106 pitches.

Yet, the back of the bullpen had Diamondbacks fans holding their breath once again, as David Hernandez allowed a pair of hits — one, a Daniel Murphy solo home run — in the bottom of the eighth and Heath Bell allowed a two-out hit in the ninth, before sealing the victory 5-3.

The Good:

Randall Delgado turned in his third quality start (defined as having pitched at least six innings while allowing three earned runs or less) of his last four starts. He now has a 3.67 ERA in five appearances this season.

The Bad

David Hernandez allowed yet another home run. After allowing just four in each of his previous two seasons with the Diamondbacks, the right-handed setup man has surrendered six long balls so far this season.

Noted:

• The loss ends a five-game losing skid as the Diamondbacks improve to 2-7 on the 10-game road trip.

• With the win, Randall Delgado becomes the first starting pitcher to record a win since Wade Miley won on June 5.

• Mets pitcher Matt Harvey tied a career high by giving up five runs in six innings. He came into tonight’s game with a 2.00 ERA.

• The Diamondbacks top two hitters, first baseman Paul Goldschmidt and outfielder Gerardo Parra, were both held out of Wednesday’s lineup.

What’s Next:

The D-backs and Mets will play the final game of their four-game series g at 10:10 a.m. local time. The snakes will send out right-hander Ian Kennedy (3-4,5.36). He will oppose Dillion Gee (6-7,4.60).