ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

D-backs reliever Taylor Clarke makes history in MLB debut

Apr 20, 2019, 3:47 PM | Updated: 5:32 pm

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Taylor Clarke, right, celebrates with catcher John Ryan Murphy ...

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Taylor Clarke, right, celebrates with catcher John Ryan Murphy after the Diamondbacks defeated the Chicago Cubs in a baseball game Saturday, April 20, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

It seems as if the Arizona Diamondbacks relievers are trying to one-up each other in their MLB debuts.

First, it was top prospect Jon Duplantier who impressed in his debut, throwing three scoreless innings to earn a save earlier this month against San Diego.

On Saturday against the Chicago Cubs, fellow top prospect Taylor Clarke did just a little more.

Clark threw three scoreless innings for his first save, but also recorded his first MLB hit when he singled in the eighth inning.

It was the first time since saves became an official statistic in 1969 that a player has recorded their first save and hit in their MLB debut.

“I was just trying to follow in Duplantier’s footsteps,” Clarke said after the 6-0 victory. “It’s pretty special.”

Clarke, who finished with two strikeouts and allowed just one hit, was called up on Saturday to provide bullpen depth through the weekend.

The D-backs’ No. 10 prospect’s hit wasn’t much to get excited about — it was an infield single — but counts nonetheless.

He picked a good bat to use, too. Clarke said he used the bat of Christian Walker, who went 4-for-4 in Saturday’s win.

We’ll see how long Clarke sticks with the big league club moving forward, but another dazzling debut nonetheless for a D-backs reliever.

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