Grit Index: D-backs unable to overcome early hole, see win streak end

The Arizona Diamondbacks dropped to 5-2 on the season after losing the first game of a three-game series to the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-3 at Chase Field. The D-backs returned home after a successful road trip in which they swept the Milwaukee Brewers. However, they couldn’t keep the momentum going on Monday night. Coming into the game the Pirates were just 1-5.

The Good:

Two bright spots in the D-backs’ lineup Monday night were Alfredo Marte and Paul Goldschmidt. Marte recorded his first major league hit and RBI with a single in the third inning. Goldschmidt continued his hot streak by collecting his career-high tying fifth straight game with an RBI on a sacrifice fly in the third inning. The D-backs first baseman’s other streak came in September 2012.

The Bad:

For a second consecutive start, Trevor Cahill struggled with his command. He pitched five innings, gave up four hits, four earned runs with three walks and seven strikeouts. He allowed three runs in the first inning, and the D-backs’ offense was unable to recover from the early deficit.

Noted:

• The win for Pittsburgh snapped a four-game losing streak. Reliever Justin Wilson came in for the Pirates in the bottom of the fifth inning and dominated the D-backs’ lineup. He has not allowed a hit in 4 1/3 innings this season.

• Left fielder Starling Marte has reached base safely in six of his first seven games this season. He’s recorded six hits in his last 12 at-bats.

He Said It:

“He didn’t throw the ball where he wanted to at all. He walked a couple guys, he hit a guy, he was behind. The triple that Marte got was a 2-0 pitch. Didn’t throw the ball good at all. Not hitting his location.” — Manager Kirk Gibson on starter Trevor Cahill’s struggle with command Monday night

Up Next:

The Diamondbacks face the Pittsburgh Pirates in the second game of their three-game series on Tuesday night at Chase Field. Right-hander Brandon McCarthy will make the start for Arizona, and he’ll be opposed by Pittsburgh’s James McDonald. McCarthy’s first start of the season came last Wednesday against the Cardinals in the marathon 16-inning game. He allowed six earned runs in just five innings pitched.

This will be the first start of McCarthy’s career against the Pirates. He threw one scoreless inning in relief on June 27, 2006 against Pittsburgh when he was with the White Sox.

First pitch on Tuesday is at 6:40pm and you can catch that game on Arizona Sports 620.

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