D-backs pitchers have strong night, allow 3 hits in win over the Phillies

PHOENIX — Two games after Arizona Diamondbacks starter Tyler Gilbert tossed a no-hitter, the pitching staff flexed with a group effort on Tuesday, a three-hit bid against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Arizona picked up a 3-2 win to start a three-game series at Chase Field, as Josh Rojas and Josh VanMeter provided the offense for the D-backs.

Starting pitcher Taylor Widener came off the injured list after missing just one start and looked sharp in five innings of work, picking up five strikeouts. He has struck out at least five batters in all three of his starts in August and has five or more strikeouts in seven out of his 11 starts this season.

“He was well prepared, he gave us everything he had and it was a solid outing,” manager Torey Lovullo said of Widener after the game.

“It was a tremendous outing for him and, unfortunately, we turned it over to the bullpen. I think he was probably a little frustrated. But we’ll keep building him up, and keep building up that stamina.”

The only run he allowed was a solo homer to Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper in the third inning.

The Phillies made some hard contact, as Widener drew eight fly ball outs on the evening. He was pulled for a pinch hitter in the fifth after tossing 68 pitches, 41 for strikes.

“It was just one of those outings where, obviously, I didn’t have quite my best stuff,” Widener said after the game.

Still, the result was not bad after missing his last start with cold-like symptoms.

“I felt like that was something I could build off as I get back to 100 percent,” Widener said.

Rojas continued his steady presence at the top of the order, driving in Daulton Varsho for the D-backs’ first run of the game. He finished 3-for-4 at the plate and is batting .520 since returning from the injured on Aug. 10.

A laser beam over the right-field wall by VanMeter brought home Christian Walker and gave the D-backs the lead in the sixth.

That was all the D-backs would need as Miguel Aguilar, J.B. Wendelken and Taylor Clarke combined for three scoreless innings out of the bullpen.

Closer Tyler Clippard made things interesting in the ninth, allowing a runner to score on a wild pitch. He would get out of the inning on a flyout to pick up his third save of the season.

Aguilar picked up the win for the D-backs in relief. The rookie tossed 1.1 perfect innings

EXTRA BASES

Archie Bradley made his return to Chase Field in an opposing uniform. A tribute video was played for him before the game. He warmed up briefly in the bullpen but did not make an appearance.

UP NEXT

Game 2 of the three-game series is scheduled for Wednesday at 6:40 p.m. and you can catch the action on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.

It will be Humberto Castellanos for the D-backs versus Ranger Suarez for the Phillies.

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