Grit Index: D-backs fall to Peavy, Red Sox

Jake Peavy was solid in his Boston debut as the D-backs lost to the Red Sox 5-2 on Saturday at Fenway Park.

Peavy (9-4), who was a hot commodity at the trade deadline, dazzled against the D-backs. The veteran right-hander allowed two runs — including a Paul Goldschmidt solo homer in the fourth inning — on four hits with seven strikeouts in seven-plus innings of work.

The former Cy Young winner outdueled D-backs’ hurler Patrick Corbin, who suffered his second straight defeat. Corbin (12-3) surrendered three runs on eight hits with six strikeouts and two walks in six-plus innings.

The D-backs battled for a run in the eighth but saw their rally cut short when Cliff Pennington, who represented the tying run, was thrown out at home plate.

Boston broke things open in the bottom of the eighth when D-backs’ reliever David Hernandez gave up a two-run home run to Jarrod Saltalamacchia.

The Good:

Goldschmidt went 1-for-3 with a walk, home run and RBI. The D-backs’ first baseman is now batting .301 with 26 longballs and an NL-leading 89 RBI this year.

With the home run, Goldy trails Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez by one for the league lead.

The Bad:

Hernandez saw his struggles continue in relief against the Red Sox. The right-hander allowed two runs, Saltalamacchia’s longball, on one hit in 0.1 inning. He saw his ERA rise to 5.32 on the season.

Noted:

– The Red Sox have won six of their last eight games.

– The D-backs are now 18-4 in games Corbin has started this season.

– Former Red Sox Cody Ross didn’t record a hit Saturday night, after going 4-for-5 on Friday.

Up Next:

The D-backs and Red Sox will play the series finale of their three-game set on Sunday, August 4 at 10:35 a.m. MST. Right-hander Brandon McCarthy (2-4, 5.00) will make his return from the disabled list to start for Arizona. He will be opposed by southpaw Felix Doubront (7-5, 3.77) for Boston.

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