Greinke again rules on road as Diamondbacks shut out Braves

ATLANTA — Zack Greinke added another road win to his strong first half by allowing only four hits in 7.2 innings, extending Atlanta’s offensive slump, and the Arizona Diamondbacks shut out the Braves 3-0 on Saturday.

Greinke (10-5), named to the NL All-Star team on Thursday as a replacement for Chicago’s Jon Lester, has won five straight decisions. The 34-year-old right-hander has been especially strong away from home, winning five straight road starts since June 8.

Greinke controlled the game. He had seven strikeouts, did not walk a batter and allowed no more than one baserunner in any inning.

Ketel Marte hit a sixth-inning homer for Arizona, who has won the first two games of the three-game series and has matched its 2017 team record of 53 wins before the All-Star break. The Diamondbacks began the day one-half game behind the first-place Dodgers in the NL West.

The Braves, who have lost eight of 10, began the day 1½ games behind first-place Philadelphia in the NL East.

An offensive slump is a big reason Atlanta fell out of first place this week after holding at least a share of the division lead since May 31. The Braves have scored no more than two runs in six of their last nine games.

Brad Boxberger pitched around a one-out single by Nick Markakis in the ninth for his 24th save.

Braves left-hander Sean Newcomb, who didn’t walk more than three batters in any of his five June starts, has had renewed control problems in July. Newcomb (8-5) walked three of Arizona’s first four batters, setting up Steven Souza Jr.’s bases-loaded single to left field.

Newcomb allowed three runs on four hits and three walks in 5 2/3 innings. He has issued 12 walks in three starts this month.

Newcomb threw 36 pitches in the long first inning. He regrouped to record 10 straight outs after Souza’s single before Chris Owings singled with two outs in the fourth and scored on a double off the left-field wall by Jeff Mathis.

Marte’s homer gave Arizona a 3-0 lead and knocked Newcomb out of the game.

The Braves had no baserunner advance past second base against Greinke. Dansby Swanson, who had two hits, led off the third with a single and moved to second on Newcomb’s sacrifice bunt before Greinke retired the next two batters. Tyler Flowers doubled with two outs in the seventh before Greinke struck out Ronald Acuna Jr.

Swanson added an eighth-inning single. With two outs, Andrew Chafin replaced Greinke and walked Charlie Culberson. Archie Bradley struck out Ozzie Albies to end the inning.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Braves LHP Max Fried, on the 10-day DL with a left middle finger blister, is an option to start on July 24 at Miami if LHP Luiz Gohara is not yet sufficiently stretched out at Triple-A Gwinnett. The Braves need help in their rotation with RHP Brandon McCarthy (right knee tendinitis) and RHP Mike Soroka (right shoulder inflammation) on the DL.

ROSTER MOVE

Braves closer Arodys Vizcaino was placed on the 10-day disabled list with right shoulder inflammation for the second time in four weeks. The surprise move was made shortly before the game after Vizcaino said he was unavailable to pitch. RHP Peter Moylan was reinstated from the 10-day DL.

UP NEXT

Diamondbacks: LHP Patrick Corbin (6-3, 3.09) has a 1.54 ERA in his last four starts since June 22.

Braves: RHP Julio Teheran (6-6, 4.47) is 3-1 with a 3.15 ERA in seven career starts against Arizona. He did not face the Diamondbacks in 2017.