Arroyo, Goldschmidt help D-backs down Strasburg, Nationals: By The Numbers

So this is the efficient, innings eater the Arizona Diamondbacks advertised when they signed Bronson Arroyo to a two-year deal back in Feburary.

For the third consecutive start, the 37-year-old allowed two or fewer runs in at least seven innings of work.

Tuesday, he bested the Washington Nationals’ talented, young ace Stephen Strasburg, to the tune of one earned run on seven hits over nine complete frames — the first D-backs pitcher to do so in 2014.

Paul Goldschmidt (two doubles and two RBI) and Miguel Montero (RBI single) supplied the offense, as the D-backs took the second game of their three-game series with the Nationals by a final of 3-1.

Here’s a look back at the victory by the numbers:

2:

Arroyo didn’t just have an impact on the mound. He recorded two of the D-backs’ eight hits off of Strasburg. For the season, the Arizona right-hander has five hits. He had five with the Reds in 2013.

4.6:

Catcher Miguel Montero has found a home in the clean-up spot of the D-backs’ lineup. Of his 24 RBI on the season, 19 have come from the No. 4 hole.

In fact after Tuesday’s run-scoring single, Montero has recorded an RBI in every 4.47 at-bats as Arizona’s cleanup hitter — good for second-best in the National League.

6:

While Strasburg allowed three runs over seven innings of work, he did put together his sixth quality start of 2014. Johnny Cueto and Julio Teheran lead the NL with eight apiece.

7/22/2013:

Arroyo’s last complete game came at AT&T Park in 2013, when he threw nine shutout innings in an 11-0 win over the San Francisco Giants.

7 Part I:

A.J. Pollock extended his season-high hitting streak to seven games with a one-out base knock off Strasburg in the fourth. Over his last seven starts, Pollock has 10 hits in last 25 at-bats.

7 Part II:

Arroyo’s seven strikeouts were his most as a member of the D-backs, surpassing the six he recorded in a 2-0 victory over the San Diego Padres earlier this month. In 2013, the Florida native had only three such performances.

8:

The fielding adventures for D-backs infielder Martin Prado continued against the Nationals. In the top of the fifth, his errant throw to first created a runners at the corners situation for Arroyo.

For Prado, it was his eighth gaffe of the season. He had 10 all of 2013.

16:

With his lead-off double in the bottom of the fourth, Paul Goldschmidt tied the Major League lead in the category with 15. Chase Utley, Trevor Plouffe and Eric Hosmer also have 15 two-baggers on the season.

However, he would later take hold of the top spot with a two-run double in the fifth.

18:

Of the 33 batters Arroyo faced, 18 put the ball into play within the first three pitches.

55:

Through May 13, Goldschmidt has the most hits in franchise history with 55. His 55 hits are also the most in all of baseball, tied with Toronto’s Melky Cabrera.

1500:

With his punch out of Denard Span in the top of the first, Arroyo recorded the 1,500 strikeout of his career. With six more, he finished the night at 1,506.