Paul Goldschmidt’s 200th home run fuels five-run first inning for D-backs

After the beginning of the Arizona Diamondbacks’ four-game series at home against the San Francisco Giants fizzled Thursday night, the team needed a jumpstart on Friday.

Coming off an 8-1 loss, the D-backs’ bullpen and hitting were both woeful.

Paul Goldschmidt provided the shock to the system right away, hitting career home run No. 200 in his first at-bat of the night.

Goldy all about those round numbers.

That’s HR No. 200. 💪💪 pic.twitter.com/h9pvQkh4ig

— MLB (@MLB) August 4, 2018

Goldschmidt is now only the second D-backs to hit that mark, joining Luis Gonzalez, who will be playing in the Alumni Game on Saturday afternoon. Since the start of August in 2011 when Goldschmidt debuted, his 200 home runs are only topped by Giancarlo Stanton’s 224, according to ESPN Stats & Info.

The accolade was only the beginning of Arizona’s offensive explosion in the first inning.

David Peralta singled to center in the next at-bat. A.J. Pollock struck out to make it two outs but then the next six hitters reached base.

Eduardo Escobar hit an RBI single that scored Peralta, who had advanced to second on a wild pitch by Giants starter Chris Stratton.

Daniel Descalso walked, an infield single by Ketel Marte followed to load the bases for Alex Avila. Avila only had to stand and watch, as he walked on five pitches to score Escobar and make it 3-1.

Pitcher Patrick Corbin knocked a two-RBI single up the middle after that, putting the score at 5-1.

Jon Jay singled to load the bases again, bringing up Goldschmidt. There would be no more runs, however, as Goldschmidt struck out.

In an attempt to get his flow back after a disastrous first, Stratton instead allowed a solo home run to his first batter of the second inning, David Peralta.

After two innings, Corbin had a five-run cushion, a cushion he didn’t necessarily need given his previous track record against San Francisco this year. Corbin entered the night with a 1.69 ERA while facing the Giants in 2018.

The start had to please manager Torey Lovullo, who wasn’t with the team Friday due to illness.

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