Grit Index: D-backs do little things to win road opener

When the 2013 Arizona Diamondbacks were constructed this off-season, they were done so with Friday’s game in mind. The D-backs won their road opener 3-1 in Milwaukee with quality starting pitching, timely offense and solid relief in the closing innings.

The Good:

Friday’s starter, Wade Miley, was forced to sit out a portion of spring training due to arm trouble. Against the Brew Crew, the left-hander had no issues on the mound. Miley had command of his fastball and secondary pitches, striking out eight Milwaukee batters over six innings. The second-year starter had just one blemish on the night — yielded home run to Jean Segura — but left Miller Park with his first win of the season.

The Bad:

Kyle Lohse made his debut with the Brewers Friday. However because Lohse signed his new deal with Milwaukee on March 25, he didn’t exactly go through a normal spring training.

The D-backs didn’t take advantage of that, though. Lohse struck out the first five Arizona batters he faced, and Kirk Gibson’s squad wasn’t patient at the plate over the first six innings.

Stat of the Night:

34 – The number of pitches Milwaukee relievers had to throw in the seventh inning. The D-backs scored two in the frame on a walk, a hit, a sacrifice bunt, a walk and a two-run wild pitch.

It wasn’t pretty, but Arizona doesn’t care about the aesthetic element as long as its winning.

Noted:

• Cliff Pennington’s third-inning single gave him four straight plate appearances with a hit dating back to Wednesday’s 10-9 win against the Cardinals.

• The Brewers lost more than the game Friday night. Former MVP Ryan Braun was pulled from the lineup due to spasms in his neck, and Aramis Ramirez sprained his left knee sliding into second base in the fourth inning.

• The D-backs were hoping to cut down on their strikeouts in 2013. In their first four games, Arizona already has 40 Ks at the plate.

• Gerardo Parra continues to be a more than admirable fill-in at the top of the order. Parra extended his hit streak to four games and is batting .474.

Up Next:

The Diamondbacks and Brewers play the second of their three-game set at 4:10 p.m. Saturday at Miller Park . Patrick Corbin, who won the hotly-contested fifth spot in the D-backs’ rotation, is scheduled to make his 2013 debut.