Greinke strikes out 5 in 3 innings in rehab start in Mesa

MESA, Ariz. — Arizona ace Zack Greinke allowed an unearned run in the first inning and struck out five straight batters Friday night for the Diamondbacks’ Arizona League affiliate in his first rehabilitation start.

Greinke went on the disabled list July 3 with a left oblique strain. The 32-year-old right-hander was hurt when he hit a sacrifice fly early in a June 28 game against Philadelphia.

Facing the Chicago Cubs’ affiliate at Sloan Park on Friday in the game that started in nearly 110-degree heat, Greinke allowed four hits, didn’t walk a batter and threw 52 pitches in three innings. He threw his final pitches in the third with lightning flashing in the distance, and the game was suspended in the top of the fourth because of rain and lightning.

Greinke signed a $206.5 million, six-year contract in the offseason, and the Diamondbacks have been cautious with his rehab. He threw 40 pitches during a bullpen session Tuesday.

Greinke had rounded into his usual form before the injury, reeling off seven straight victories. He’s 10-3 with a 3.62 ERA.

On Friday, Delvin Zinn and Luis Ayala singled with one out in the first, with Zinn advancing to third on left fielder Myles Babitt’s error. Zinn scored on Isaac Paredes’ groundout.

In the second, Gustavo Polanco and Kevin Zamudio led off with singles, and Greinke struck out the next three batters — Jhonny Bethencourt, Jose Gonzalez and Tolly Filotei. In the third, Greinke struck out Zinn and Luis Ayala and got Paredes on a grounder.