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

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.

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