Robbie Ray goes seven frames, shuts out Brewers in D-backs’ win
May 25, 2017, 7:58 PM | Updated: 10:02 pm
Arizona Diamondbacks' Robbie Ray pitches to a Milwaukee Brewers' batter during the first inning of a baseball game Thursday, May 25, 2017, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Tom Lynn)
(AP Photo/Tom Lynn)
Through the lenses of several offensive categories, the Arizona Diamondbacks have been one of the best teams on their home field.
The Milwaukee Brewers aren’t so bad themselves.
Heading into Thursday’s series-opener against Arizona at Miller Park, Milwaukee was third in MLB for runs scored and fifth in home runs at their home park.
But the offense didn’t show up against the D-backs, and Arizona starter Robbie Ray had a lot to do with it. He pitched a scoreless seven innings and allowed just two hits with nine strikeouts and no walks in Arizona’s 4-0 victory.
All of his strikeouts came on swings or foul-tips. Five were off his fastball and three were induced with a slider.
“I went out there and I did what I needed to do,” Ray told the AP. “My fastball command was good. My offspeed was good off that, slider, curveball. I was just keeping them off balance today.”
Ray sits at 4-3 on the year with a 3.45 ERA, but he’s been masterful away from Chase Field.
On the road, he touts a 0.81 ERA (three earned runs in 33.1 innings pitched), the lowest in franchise history through five away starts.
The left-hander threw 102 pitches total against the Brewers and 70 for strikes before Archie Bradley pitched a one-hit eighth inning and T.J. McFarland closed for the D-backs.
“The day was paced by Robbie,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. “On a night where we really needed it with a bullpen that might have been a little bit tired or short in certain places, Robbie gave us seven great innings.”
It was the second strong outing for Ray, who went 7.2 shutout innings five days ago in a 9-1 win over the San Diego Padres.
Arizona, coming off a three-game sweep against the Chicago White Sox, has won four straight to move 11 games above .500 for the first time since 2011.
Gregor Blanco, who went 3 for 4, hit the second pitch of the game off Milwaukee starter Zach Davies (5-3) for his fourth career leadoff home run. Chris Owings tied his career high with his sixth of the season leading off the second, while David Peralta had an RBI double in the third and Paul Goldschmidt scored on a wild pitch in the eighth.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Diamondbacks: RHP Taijuan Walker (10-day DL, blister on right index finger) continues to make progress. “All the reports with his throwing program having been very positive,” manager Torey Lovullo said. “So, he’s right on pace. We want to make sure that when it’s time for him to start that this (blister) doesn’t reoccur.” … OF A.J. Pollock (10-day DL, strained right groin) did not make the 11-game road trip. However, he resumed baseball activities back in Arizona.
Brewers: RHP Junior Guerra tests his strained right calf on Friday when he comes off the 10-day DL. He won’t be on a pitch count despite not pitching since opening day.
UP NEXT
Diamondbacks: RHP Zack Godley (1-1, 2.45 ERA) makes his fifth start this season and second of his career against the Brewers. He is 1-0 with a 1.42 ERA with seven strikeouts in his two previous appearances.
Brewers: RHP Junior Guerra (0-0, 6.00 ERA) comes off the 10-day DL to face the Diamondbacks for the first time. He hasn’t pitched since his abbreviated opening day start against Colorado on April 3. He strained his right calf while running to first base on a sacrifice bunt in the third
The Associated Press contributed to this story
