Big innings save D-backs in series finale with Pirates: By The Numbers

After a promising start to their nine-game road trip, the Arizona Diamondbacks were heading nowhere fast going into the top of the sixth inning at PNC Park Thursday.

Losers of three in a row and the victim of five hitless frames from Pittsburgh Pirates starter Vance Worley, Arizona needed a spark in the worst of ways.

That spark came via a three-run inning in the six, highlighted by an RBI single by Ender Inciarte and a two-run home run by David Peralta.

Right-hander Brandon McCarthy just barely fell short of recording his ninth quality start of the season, though his outing still had plenty of quality to it.

In 5.2 innings of work, McCarthy allowed two runs on eight hits, while also striking six batters.

That was more than enough as the D-backs tacked on seven insurance runs in the ninth before taking their series finale with the Pirates by a final of 10-2.

Here’s a look back at the eight-run road win by the numbers:

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3:

Peralta’s go-ahead long ball in the sixth was the third of his career. And for the third time in his career, the D-backs outfielder collected two or more RBI in a game.

Peralta finished with a career-high four RBI, adding a two-run single in the ninth.

5 Part I:

Arizona reached the double-digit run mark for the fifth time in 87 games.

5 Part II:

Cody Ross’ RBI double off of Ernesto Frieri in the ninth was only his fifth of the campaign. Ross’ last two-bagger came on June 10 vs. Houston.

6 Part I:

McCarthy punched out six or more batters in a start for the sixth time this season. He achieved the feat only three times in 2013.

6 Part II:

In victory, Arizona snapped a six-game streak of scoring no more than three runs. In those six games, Kirk Gibson and Co. were 2-4.

7:

The D-backs’ seven-run ninth inning was their largest so far this season. It also matches their run total from the last four games combined.

8-of-17:

Arizona won its eighth challenge of the season. After a lengthy review, Doug Edding’s initial call that Gregory Polanco was safe on his steal attempt of second was overturned in the bottom of sixth.

20-of-21:

Dating back to May 11, left-hander reliever Oliver Perez hasn’t allowed a run in 20 of 21 appearances. Thursday, he induced an inning-ending fielder’s choice off the bat of Josh Harrison.

28:

Over the last four weeks, the D-backs have nine wins. And of those nine, none came by more than three runs until Thursday’s triumph. Arizona’s last won a game by more than three runs on June 5 — 12-7 at Colorado.

30:

Paul Goldschmidt smacked his 30th double of the season off Vance Worley. Goldschmidt leads the National League in the doubles department.

Goldschmidt also collected his first triple of the season, knocking in two with a three-base hit in the ninth.

5/18/13 – 5/24/13:

McCarthy secured victories in back-to-back starts for the first time since May 18 and May 24, 2013, when he defeated the Miami Marlins and San Diego Padres in consecutive appearances.