D-backs RHP Zac Gallen tosses 4 scoreless innings in season debut

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Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zac Gallen had a short but sharp 2022 season debut, holding the New York Mets scoreless through four innings on Saturday en route to a 3-2 victory.

Gallen had command of his pitch mix and threw 43 strikes in 66 pitches, while his fastball hit 95 miles per hour. He allowed two singles and a walk, but no Mets reached scoring position during his outing.

The righty struck out two batters — including former D-backs infielder Eduardo Escobar on a fastball low in the strike zone — and forced four ground outs against a team that scored 10 runs on Friday.

The 26-year-old missed his original scheduled season debut on Tuesday due to a cut on his thumb. He had a scare on Saturday during the first inning when manager Torey Lovullo and a trainer came out to the mound, but he stayed in.

Lovullo said before the game that Gallen would throw between 60-75 pitches, according to MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert.

Gallen was diagnosed with bursitis in his right shoulder during the offseason, which slowed his ramp up in spring training. That led to him slipping to the fifth spot in the rotation to open the season.

He has started 44 games for Arizona since being acquired in 2019. He owns a 3.51 ERA with the club after Saturday’s performance.

Zac Gallen’s season debut was a success.

4 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 0 R, 2 K pic.twitter.com/jXJx42PpyX

— Bally Sports Arizona (@BALLYSPORTSAZ) April 16, 2022

Gallen’s strong start kept the D-backs tied early, as Mets starter Carlos Carrasco shut out Arizona through five frames.

The D-backs took a 3-0 lead in the seventh inning after a two-run home run from shortstop Sergio Alcantara and an RBI double from second baseman Ketel Marte.

New York cut into the deficit in the eighth as outfielder Starling Marte hit a two-run blast off reliever Ian Kennedy, but closer Mark Melancon shut the door in the ninth.

The rubber match is set for Sunday at 10:40 a.m. on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.

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