ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

D-backs’ Kelly continues dominant June in third consecutive start

Jun 12, 2019, 6:21 PM | Updated: 6:55 pm
Arizona Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly pitches during the third inning of a baseball game against the ...
Arizona Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly pitches during the third inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Wednesday, June 12, 2019, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
(AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly mowed down opposing batters for the third consecutive start in Wednesday night’s 2-0 win over the Philadelphia Phillies.

In his last two starts, Kelly was 2-0 with a 1.23 ERA, allowing only two earned runs and fanning 13 batters while only giving up nine hits and two free passes over 14.2 innings.

That trend continued at Citizens Bank Park on Wednesday night.

In his first start against the Phillies, Kelly allowed no runs on three hits in 7.2 innings while striking out five.

Philadelphia didn’t have a baserunner until the third inning on a Nick Williams leadoff double, but he was left stranded as the D-backs right-hander retired the next three batters.

Williams seemed to be the only Philly to be able to hit against Kelly, as Philadelphia had to wait until his next at-bat in the fifth to get the D-backs starter to pitch out of the stretch.

But Kelly was able to get Maikel Franco out on a deep flyball to center field, leaving Williams on base once more.

The right-hander now has an astounding 0.81 ERA in the month of June.

In 22.1 innings pitched, he has only allowed only two earned runs on 12 hits to go along with 18 strikeouts.

Kelly’s next start would presumably be against the division rival Colorado Rockies at Chase Field next week.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Starting pitcher Merrill Kelly #29 of Team USA throws a warm-up pitch during the first inning of th...
Alex Weiner

D-backs’ Merrill Kelly set up to start World Baseball Classic final for Team USA

Team USA "looks like" it will turn to Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly in the World Baseball Classic final on Tuesday. 
1 day ago
Paul Goldschmidt #46 of Team USA celebrates with Moookie Betts #3 after hitting a two-run home run ...
Associated Press

Turner, Goldschmidt lead Team USA to WBC final with win vs. Cuba

Defending champion United States romped over Cuba 14-2 on Sunday night to reach its second straight World Baseball Classic final.
1 day ago
David Peralta #6 and Eduardo Escobar #5 of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrate after scoring on a si...
Haboob Blog

Former D-backs OF David Peralta rekindles Eduardo Escobar’s cat fear with Team Venezuela

David Peralta had some fun with Eduardo Escobar's fear of cats when they were teammates with the Diamondbacks.
1 day ago
Brandon Pfaadt #90 of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches in the second inning against the Cincinnati ...
Kellan Olson

Diamondbacks reassign Brandon Pfaadt, send Seth Beer to Triple-A

The Arizona Diamondbacks made 11 roster moves on Sunday that cut their spring training roster down to 40.
1 day ago
United States' Mookie Betts (3) is congratulated by teammates after he scored on a throwing error b...
Associated Press

Team USA comes from behind to defeat Venezuela, advance to WBC semis

Trea Turner hit a grand slam in the eighth inning that lifted the United States over Venezuela 9-7 Saturday night and into the WBC semis.
2 days ago
Manager Torey Lovullo #17 of the Arizona Diamondbacks speaks to the media during the Spring Trainin...
Alex Weiner

Lovullo gives example on how D-backs monitor players at World Baseball Classic

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo is watching every single play in the World Baseball Classic to monitor his players.
1 day ago
D-backs’ Kelly continues dominant June in third consecutive start