Arizona Diamondbacks’ Robbie Ray steps up in playoff push

In spite of his team’s recent struggles, fourth-year pitcher Robbie Ray has stepped up for the Arizona Diamondbacks in the midst of a heated playoff race.

Ray has allowed just one run against 43 batters over his last 11.2 innings on the mound. For the struggling D-backs, who’ve won just four of their last 12 games, Ray’s provided a glimmer of hope as they continue their battle for postseason position in the National League West.

The lefty pitcher’s performance over the past two games has impressed Diamondbacks assistant general manager Jared Porter.

“His fastball has had a little bit of an extra gear,” Porter said on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station’s Doug and Wolf. “He’s been working really hard with Mike Butcher and our pitching guys on some delivery fluidity.”

Prior to Wednesday’s action, Arizona stands just 1.5 games behind the Colorado Rockies for first in the division at a record of 76-62. Their 6-0 victory over San Diego on Tuesday evening saved them from slipping in the standings after dropping four of their last six games. Ray’s heroics, including five innings without a hit and zero runs allowed, carried the D-backs to a bounce-back victory after falling 6-2 to the Padres on Monday.

“I think he established his curveball last night pretty early,” Porter said. “What he does by that is he creates separation with the fastball and the curveball. He’s able to work the slider in a little bit later to surprise his guys quite a bit so I think last night he started with the fastball, the velocity and the finish was there — and the control of it, and I thought he was very effective with his secondary pitches.”

Inversely, reliever Archie Bradley has struggled over the course of his last few games. The third-year pitcher failed to close out key games including a major blunder against the Dodgers. On Sept. 1, Bradley gave up two hits for three runs in one frame, costing Arizona the chance at an important victory.

Through the long and grueling Major League season, adversity is bound to arrive. Regardless of Bradley’s difficulties, Porter’s confidence in the reliever remains steadfast.

“I don’t think much has changed analytically,” Porter said. “I think it’s just a matter of Archie executing with his pitches in the right sequences and we think he’s going to get back on track doing that.”

The Diamondbacks will play the series opener of a crucial four-game series against the Atlanta Braves in downtown Phoenix on Thursday evening. All Star pitcher Zack Greinke will return to the mound for the first time in six days to lead Arizona against the No. 1 team in the National League East. First pitch is at 6:40 p.m. on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.