Diamondbacks offense rolls at home in win over Brewers

PHOENIX – While the world waits to see if they’re ultimately going to be buyers or sellers come the trade deadline, the Arizona Diamondbacks continue to fight for the postseason with a 10-7 win Friday over one of the teams currently holding on to a National League Wild Card spot, the Milwaukee Brewers.

Despite struggling offensively at home this season, defense took the night off for both teams as the D-backs’ bats powered up in the third inning for a very special team cycle and six runs that put the game out of reach early.

Jarrod Dyson started things off with a one-out single, which was followed by a Ketel Marte double, a two-RBI triple from Eduardo Escobar and capped off by a two-run home run from Christian Walker to complete the natural cycle in order.

This was the first time in franchise history the team has hit for a natural cycle in four consecutive batters.

“You score as many runs as we did in a couple of innings, you’re doing a lot right,” said manager Torey Lovullo after the win.

Taylor Clarke made his first start since July 2 for Lovullo and crew, who are still looking for a fifth starter to help stabilize their rotation. Clarke got banged around in the second and third innings, but he was able to limit the damage and get out of some jams while only allowing three runs through three innings.

However, once he gave up a run in the fourth inning with two outs and the D-backs ahead, his night was over. Despite the early run support, Lovullo wasn’t taking any chances with this important game.

Clarke went 3.2 innings, allowing seven hits with four earned runs and two walks before turning it over to the bullpen.

“It was good to get Clarkey back on the mound,” added Lovullo on Clarke’s outing. “He was grinding through his outing and two 24-pitch innings had his pitch count climb into a situation or an area that I was just a little bit uncomfortable getting him back from his first day off the DL, and we just decided to maneuver to the bullpen.”

The Brewers made things interesting late, scoring three runs off Matt Andriese in the seventh inning to close the gap, but it was a rare night where the D-backs offense was too much to overcome at Chase Field.

Arizona scored ten runs total in four of their first five innings. Escobar led the way, going 2-for-5 with a triple, home run, three RBI, and two runs scored, followed by Marte, who was 2-for-5 with a pair of doubles, two RBI, and a run scored. Escobar has 10 RBI in his last four games while Marte set a career high with his 60th RBI this season.

Even though he was having a good night at the plate, Marte was ejected in the seventh inning after having an issue with home plate umpire Sam Holbrook’s strike zone. It was Marte’s second career ejection and Holbrook’s first of the season.

The D-backs hang on for the victory and have won five of their last six at home. They are 7-2 in the last nine games played at Chase Field.

UP NEXT

With the series and potentially their season still on the line, the D-backs will send Zack Greinke to the mound in an effort to take game three against the Brew Crew on Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 5:10 p.m. with pregame coverage beginning 40 minutes earlier on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.

Greinke is 10-4 this season with a 2.95 ERA and is 4-1 at home with a 3.00 ERA. In eight career appearances against his former ballclub, he is 1-4 with a 4.07 ERA.

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