Zach Davies shines, Peralta’s power surge continues in D-backs spring win
Apr 4, 2022, 9:43 PM | Updated: Apr 5, 2022, 8:09 am
Starting pitcher Zach Davies #41 of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning of the MLB game at Sloan Park on March 29, 2022 in Mesa, Arizona. The Cubs defeated the Diamondbacks 3-2. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks are playing complete team baseball in the final few days leading up to Opening Day.
In a 3-1 spring training win at Chase Field on Monday night, the combination of dominant pitching, stellar defense and two big flies propelled the D-backs over the Cleveland Guardians.
The pitching performance was led by right-handed starter Zach Davies, who threw 4.1 innings and only allowed three baserunners, with his one earned run coming after he was pulled in the fifth with a runner on first. Davies also struck out two batters on 60 pitches, 35 of which were for strikes.
Diamondbacks reliever Dan Straily also contributed with 3.0 scoreless innings pitched, only allowing two hits and one walk while striking out two.
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Right-hander Sean Poppen came on to pick up the save with his one-two-three ninth inning that ended with a strikeout.
Offensively, David Peralta’s power surge continued with yet another big fly. The solo jack marked the outfielder’s fifth of the spring to go along with a .333/.429/.933 slash line and nine RBIs in 30 at-bats.
D-backs first baseman Christian Walker also had a solo dinger of his own, his third home run and sixth RBI of the spring. In 32 at-bats in exhibition games, Walker is slashing .344/.400/.719.
Defensively, the Diamondbacks were flashing the leather both on the dirt and in the outfield.
With a runner on first and one out, center fielder Daulton Varsho made this diving highlight-reel grab to prevent the run from scoring:
pic.twitter.com/JDLbThJWpM https://t.co/YOxVKbLESj
— Jake Anderson (@jwa1994) April 5, 2022
The very next batter, D-backs shortstop Geraldo Perdomo made an impressive stop and throw to end the inning.
Perdomo also had an RBI single on the night, as the 22-year-old Dominican appears to be an Opening Day starter with SS Nick Ahmed (shoulder) and INF Josh Rojas (oblique) on the shelf to start the season.
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Diamondbacks right-handed pitcher Ty Tice was removed from the game after sustaining an apparent injury.
