McCarthy, Peralta gets D-backs off to a good start in series-opening win over Padres: By The Numbers

For Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Brandon McCarthy, home has not been not where the wins are in 2014.

It seems only one stadium holds a special place in the 30-year-old’s heart these days.

That’s because Petco Park is also the only one he’s had success on the mound this season.

McCarthy tossed seven innings of one-run baseball Friday, scattering six hits while striking out seven.

The struggling starter, who came in sporting a five-game losing streak, didn’t receive a ton of offensive support, though the little he did certainly stood up.

David Peralta’s two-run single off of Tyson Ross in the fourth inning proved to be the difference, as the D-backs opened their nine-game road trip with a 2-1 victory over the reeling San Diego Padres.

With the win, McCarthy moved to 2-10 on the season — with the other positive outcome coming in a 4-3 triumph over the Padres back on May 3.

Arizona improved to 5-2 in 2014 against San Diego.

Here’s a look back at the opener of the three-game set by the numbers:

0:

In addition to his seven punchouts, McCarthy managed to have a clean sheet in the walks department — a feat he’s been able to pull off in just four of his 17 outings.

1:

In many ways, Ross was a tough-luck loser Friday night. The San Diego right-hander allowed just two runs on five hits and also retired seven batters via the strikeout. But as has been the case all June for Ross, his offense failed to pick him up.

In fact, Ross’ run-scoring sacrifice fly in the fifth marked the first run of support he’s been given all month.

2:

For just the second time in his career, McCarthy completed an outing that featured seven innings or more, one run allowed or less, six hits allowed or less, no walks and 94 pitches or less.

.310:

While he’s only played 23 career games, Peralta has looked mighty comfortable at the dish when facing right-handing pitching. His two-RBI single in the fourth marked his 22 hit against righties in only 71 at-bats.

4:

McCarthy has made six career starts against the Padres. And in those six starts, he’s allowed one run or less four times.

4-2-5-6-4:

That’s not the Powerball numbers for the week, but rather how the D-backs ended the home half of the sixth inning. With runners on first and second and one out, Will Venable hit a grounder to Aaron Hill. Hill immediately threw to Miguel Montero as Chase Headley raced for home. Montero chased Headley back to third before tossing the ball to Martin Prado. Prado promptly tagged out Headley before looking across the diamond in Didi Gregorius. After receiving a rather acrobatic throw from Prado, the D-backs shortstop continued the wild game of cat and mouse by catching Venable between first and second. Gregorius quickly fired over to Hill who put an end to the 4-2-5-6-4 double play and subsequently the inning.

6:

In the eighth, Brad Ziegler came on in relief of McCarthy. The right-hander delivered a perfect 1-2-3 inning — something he’s been accustomed to doing against the Padres of late. Ziegler has thrown six straight scoreless innings at Petco Park — a span that also includes no hits or walks.

19:

With his fourth inning walk, Paul Goldschmidt reached safely for the 19th consecutive game. In those 19 games, Goldschimidt has reached base 21 times via the free pass.

26:

The Padres’ offense entered Friday’s National West affair sporting a league-worst offense (3.01 runs/game). It looked every bit the part in the loss, failing to score more than one run in a game for the 26th time this season.