Diamondbacks settle for series split following loss at Washington: By the Numbers

If not for their narrow 5-4, late-inning defeat at the hands of the Washington Nationals Tuesday night, the Arizona Diamondbacks could have emerged from their four-game road stand with the Nats feeling pretty good about themselves sporting a 3-1 series victory.

Instead, the D-backs settled for the split, falling to the Nationals 8-3 Thursday afternoon in the nation’s capital.

The game itself was underscored by clunky pitching performances from a pair of hurlers who have been quite consistent in recent outings.  D-backs starter Jeremy Hellickson — who entered the day boasting a four-game winning streak — was rocked over 4.2 innings of work, giving up four earned runs on five hits before being chased from the game in the fifth, while reliever Brad Ziegler endured a rough and tumble eighth inning in which he surrendered three runs on three hits, snapping his streak of nine scoreless games on the road.

The D-backs would receive offensive contributions from Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Ender Inciarte, who combined for a home run and three RBI on two hits, but it wouldn’t be nearly enough, as Arizona now sits three games behind .500.

Below, we take a look at the D-backs’ loss, by the numbers.

4

Hellickson’s streak of four straight wins in day starts came to an end Thursday, as the D-backs starter failed to make it through the fifth inning after surrendering two runs and loading the bases in the inning before eventually giving way to D-backs reliever Andrew Chafin.  Hellickson moves to 5-2 overall in day starts this season, which includes an ERA of 3.91 over his last five outings.

5-1

More from Hellickson: It was the 28-year-old right-hander’s first loss this season on four days of rest.  Hellickson was previously 5-0 in seven such starts this season with an ERA of 3.46.

.367

Inciarte has been nothing if not productive for the D-backs in six games versus the Nationals this season.  Following his 1-for-4 effort with a double and two RBI Thursday afternoon, Inciarte is batting .367 (11-for-30) with three doubles, one triple, one home run and five RBI over the six-game stretch.

3-for-8

Though he’s hardly known for swinging a consistent bat, Saltalamacchia provided a pleasant lift to the D-backs lineup over the four-game series with the Nationals.  Going 1-for-2 with two runs and two walks, including a solo home run, the 30-year-old catcher got the start at first base Thursday, completing the series going 3-for-8 with one home run, three RBI and four runs scored.

9

Normally reliable D-backs reliever Brad Ziegler had a rough go of it in his one inning of work versus Washington, ceding three hits and three earned runs.  Unfortunately for Ziegler, that snaps a streak of nine straight road games (eight innings pitched) in which he has held an opponent scoreless.

381

After getting the day off, D-backs first baseman Paul Goldschmidt is still one RBI away from tying Matt Williams for fifth on the franchise’s all-time list at 381.  Goldy’s next opportunity to tie the mark will come Friday when the D-backs return home to take on the Cincinnati Reds in a three-game series.