Hellickson deals but the D-backs fall to the Angels, snapping a 4-game win streak: By the Numbers

Seven times this season the Arizona Diamondbacks have had a chance to bring their overall record back to .500. And in each of those seven opportunities, the D-backs have lost. The seventh such loss came Tuesday night in Los Angeles, as the Angels defeated the D-backs 4-1, snapping Arizona’s four-game win streak in the process.

For a fifth consecutive game the D-backs received a strong pitching performance from a member of their starting rotation. Taking the hill Tuesday was right-hander Jeremy Hellickson, who in his previous three starts, was 3-0 with a 4.45 ERA. Lasting six innings, Hellickson exhibited terrific command of the strike zone, walking one and striking out six. However, it was in the sixth inning when Hellickson made his only real mistake of the game, hanging a pitch that Angels first baseman Albert Pujols deposited in center field to give Los Angeles a 2-1 lead.

With little help from the National League’s most productive offense, the D-backs’ bullpen would surrender two more runs in the eighth when Angels designated hitter David Freese took D-backs reliever Randall Delgado deep to right center to extend Los Angeles’ lead to 4-1.

Below we take a look at the D-backs’ loss, by the numbers.

4

On the heels of sweeping the San Francisco Giants this past weekend and picking up a win versus the Angels Monday night, the D-backs saw their four-game winning streak snapped Tuesday.

0-7

A game below .500 entering the day, the D-backs are now 0-7 in their attempts to reach .500 this season.

3

Hellickson’s three-game winning streak was snapped courtesy of a two-run home run by Pujols in the sixth inning. Though Hellickson was at times dominant during his 13th start of the season, striking out six and retiring nine straight batters between the second and fifth innings, the 28-year-old proved unable to hold on to the D-backs’ narrow 1-0 lead. His three-game winning streak was the longest of any D-backs starter this season and tied for the fifth-longest streak of his career.

1.08

Despite being credited with the loss, Hellickson continued an outstanding stretch of play for members of the D-backs’ starting rotation. Over the last five games, D-backs starters have posted a combined 1.08 ERA (4 ER in 33.2 IP).

291

The 291 runs scored by the D-backs this season currently lead the National League.

11

Though he would drive in a run via sacrifice fly in the second inning, D-backs center fielder A.J. Pollock saw his 11-game hitting streak against interleague opponents snap Tuesday. His streak dated back to Sept. 3, 2013.

.385

Recalled from Triple-A Reno following Ender Inciarte being placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring, outfielder Danny Dorn got the start at first base Tuesday. In relief of Paul Goldschmidt, who D-backs manager Chip Hale gave a “half-day” off batting at designated hitter, Dorn went 2-for-4. In 13 games for the D-backs this season, Dorn is batting .385 (5-for-13) with one double, two
RBI and two walks.