Grit Index: Patrick Corbin outlasts Clayton Kershaw in D-backs victory
Apr 13, 2013, 5:41 AM | Updated: 5:51 am
The Arizona Diamondbacks started off their three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on a positive Friday night with a 3-0 victory.
The story of the game was the duel on the mound between youngster Patrick Corbin and veteran Clayton Kershaw. In the end, Kershaw recorded more innings of work but it was Corbin who earned the win. Third baseman Martin Prado was the offensive star of the game, going 2-for-2 with an RBI and two walks. The Dodgers left 10 on base and were just 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position.
The Good:
With the win, the D-backs are now 11-2 in their last 13 games against the Dodgers. They’ve also won their last six straight against Los Angeles at home.
The Bad:
Arizona was 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position but it didn’t matter because the Dodgers walked in two of the three runs in the eighth inning.
The only other “bad” note was that closer J.J. Putz made the game interesting in the top of the ninth when he allowed a hit and walked a batter to put the game-tying run at the plate. Putz has a 3.60 ERA on the season.
Noted:
Starting pitcher Patrick Corbin has a winning record against Los Angeles in his short career. He’s 2-1 with one save and a 1.33 ERA lifetime against the Dodgers. Corbin has given up just three earned runs in 20.1 innings pitched.
Injury Update:
Second baseman Aaron Hill was a late scratch from Friday’s lineup with a contusion on his left hand. He was hit by a pitch on Tuesday in a game against the Pirates. The D-backs said he was removed from the lineup for “precautionary reasons.”
Stat of the Night:
The Diamondbacks have been on the receiving end of four bases loaded walks already this season through just 10 games. In 2012, they had 14 and in 2011 they had 13.
Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw recorded nine strikeouts in his 7 1/3 innings pitched. He is just one strikeout away from 1,000 for his career.
He Said It:
“That was fun. I knew coming in that it was going to be tough for us to get some runs so I knew I had to go out there and put up some zeros. They put some good at-bats early. I just didn’t want to miss middle. They worked my pitch count up so it got up a lot quicker than i wanted it to but i felt good with the outing.” — Patrick Corbin on his six-inning performance against the Dodgers.
Up Next:
The D-backs return to Chase Field to face the Dodgers in the second game of their three-game series on Saturday. Ace Ian Kennedy will be on the hill against Los Angeles left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu. Kennedy is 1-0 this season with a 4.15 ERA, and Ryu is 1-1 with a 2.13 ERA. First pitch is slated for 5:10 p.m. on Arizona Sports 620.
