ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Zack Greinke smacks his first career triple, giving him a rare season cycle

Apr 25, 2019, 12:41 PM | Updated: 2:07 pm

Zack Greinke has been raking.

The Arizona Diamondbacks ace on the mound has five extra base hits in six games and has already recorded a season cycle after launching the first triple of his career against the Pirates on Thursday.

He’s the first pitcher in baseball history to record a cycle in the opening month of the season.

Before the extra base hit Thursday, the last time a D-backs pitcher hit a triple was Archie Bradley in the 2017 NL Wild Card Game.

Greinke is tied with Madison Bumgarner of the Giants for the fourth-most extra base hits by a pitcher since 2004 behind just Adam Wainwright, Carlos Zambrano and Jason Marquis.

He became the only pitcher since at least 1913 to have five extra base hits in before the end of April, according to the MLB.

Greinke also tightened things up on the mound.

After giving up six home runs in his first two starts of the season, including seven earned runs in the season opener, he has settled down. Greinke racked up four wins in the month of April and improved his ERA in each of his five starts in the month.

Greinke pitched seven shutout innings against the Pirates giving up just two hits and one walk while striking out seven batters.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Ketel Marte...

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks crushed by Padres in nightmarish stretch: ‘We’re pretty frustrated’

Brandon Pfaadt battled, but it was otherwise a tough night at the ballpark for the Diamondbacks in a lopsided loss to the Padres.

12 hours ago

Deyvison De Los Santos...

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks prospect Deyvison De Los Santos showing improvement after MLB chance

Diamondbacks prospect Deyvison De Los Santos is on a tear after returning to the organization from the Guardians.

15 hours ago

Catcher Gabriel Moreno...

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks’ Gabriel Moreno continues improving at throwing runners out

Gabriel Moreno had a breakout defensive season for the Diamondbacks last year, and he continues to improve his strengths.

22 hours ago

Ketel Marte...

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks stay in rut offensively, cannot solve Padres’ Dylan Cease

The turning point of Friday's Diamondbacks loss to the Padres was clear, when the game turned from pitcher's duel to blowout.

1 day ago

Alek Thomas...

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks’ Alek Thomas, Paul Sewald taking steps to return next week

The Diamondbacks are targeting next week's Cincinnati Reds series for center fielder Alek Thomas and closer Paul Sewald.

2 days ago

Relief pitcher Matt Bowman #51 of the Minnesota Twins throws against Ehire Adrianza #13 of the Los ...

Kellan Olson

D-backs acquire reliever Matt Bowman, move Merrill Kelly to 60-day IL

The Arizona Diamondbacks acquired right-handed pitcher Matt Bowman from the Minnesota Twins on Thursday for cash.

3 days ago

Zack Greinke smacks his first career triple, giving him a rare season cycle