La Russa: Successful stretch begins with our pitching

Jun 22, 2016, 12:36 PM | Updated: 2:39 pm

Arizona Diamondbacks' Zack Greinke pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Saturday, June 18, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

(AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

LISTEN: Tony La Russa, Diamondbacks chief baseball officer

BY TYLER DRAKE

Cardinals reporter, ArizonaSports.com editor

The Arizona Diamondbacks have won five straight games, and according to D-backs’ chief baseball officer Tony La Russa, pitching has been a big reason for the recent success.

“Game after game our starters are giving us an outstanding chance to win deep into the game,” La Russa said on the Doug and Wolf show on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Wednesday. “Our bullpen has been getting the last outs, yesterday was a terrific example with Barrett coming in and getting a very tough double play.

“I think our pitching is setting the course,” he added.

In the last five games, D-backs starters have allowed just seven earned runs on 27 hits with 26 strikeouts in 33 innings of work.

Tuesday in Toronto, Patrick Corbin allowed only two runs on nine hits with three strikeouts in 6.1 innings.

“He’s got a terrific ability to get the ball back to the third base side,” La Russa said on Corbin, who is now 4-6 following Tuesday’s win. “He’s been a tough luck pitcher, he’s got a couple losses that he didn’t deserve, but he got a well-deserved win yesterday.”

Pitching isn’t the only thing La Russa believes is getting the job done for the D-backs.

“We’ve exploded with some runs,” he said. “We’ve hit some home runs in this trip.”

The D-backs have been hot over this five-game stretch, driving in 26 runs with 12 home runs and 23 RBI.

Out of the 12 home runs the D-backs have hit, six have come from the duo of Peter O’Brien and Yasmany Tomas. The outfielders have three long balls a piece in this trip.

“When you put Peter and Tomas in the lineup, just watch them take (batting practice),” La Russa said. “That really adds a lot of potential power.”

The D-backs have won eight of their last 10 and entering play Wednesday sit only five games out in the National League Wild Card race.

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Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) hits a single to center field against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 21, 2016, in Toronto. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Patrick Corbin (46) works against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 21, 2016, in Toronto. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Jean Segura (2) steals second base past Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (2) during the third inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 21, 2016, in Toronto. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

Arizona Diamondbacks center fielder Michael Bourn (1) reacts after striking out against the Toronto Blue Jays during the third inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 21, 2016, in Toronto. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (44) reacts after striking out against the Toronto Blue Jays during the third inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 21, 2016, in Toronto. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

RETRANSMISSION TO CLARIFY THAT THE BATTER WAS OUT - Toronto Blue Jays center fielder Kevin Pillar (11) makes a diving catch against the wall on a line drive by Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder Peter O'Brien (14) during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 21, 2016, in Toronto. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder Yasmany Tomas, left, rounds the bases after hitting a two run home run as Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Marco Estrada (25) reacts during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 21, 2016, in Toronto. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder Yasmany Tomas (24) hits a two run home run against the Toronto Blue Jays during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 21, 2016, in Toronto. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder Yasmany Tomas, right, celebrates his two run home run against the Toronto Blue Jays with teammate Rickie Weeks during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 21, 2016, in Toronto. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder Yasmany Tomas, center, celebrates his two run home run with teammates in the dugout while playing against the Toronto Blue Jays during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 21, 2016, in Toronto. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson breaks his bat against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 21, 2016, in Toronto. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Jean Segura forces out Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Devon Travis (29) at second base then turns the double play over to first base to out Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 21, 2016, in Toronto. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Daniel Hudson (41) celebrates with teammate Chris Herrmann (10) after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in a baseball game, Tuesday, June 21, 2016, in Toronto. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

RETRANSMISSION TO CLARIFY THAT THE BATTER WAS OUT - Toronto Blue Jays center fielder Kevin Pillar makes a diving catch against the wall on a line drive by Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder Peter O'Brien during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 21, 2016, in Toronto. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion (10) reacts after a strike from Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Patrick Corbin during the third inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 21, 2016, in Toronto. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

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