ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

‘Everything is synced up’ on the mound for D-backs starter Zac Gallen

Aug 19, 2022, 1:01 PM | Updated: 1:22 pm

Zac Gallen #23 of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches against the San Francisco Giants in the bottom o...

Zac Gallen #23 of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches against the San Francisco Giants in the bottom of the first inning at Oracle Park on August 18, 2022 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zac Gallen has been among the best pitchers in Major League Baseball over the past month and has the stats to back it.

In his last seven starts, the righty has given up just six earned runs combined.

He continued his torrid pace on Thursday, with maybe his best start of the season against the San Francisco Giants.

“If I had to go off the top of my head, if not No. 1 (his best start), it’s up there,” Gallen told Arizona Sports’ Bickley & Marotta on Friday.

Gallen was mighty effective in Thursday’s 5-0 win over the Giants, tossing 7.1 shutout innings while striking out 12 batters. He extended his scoreless innings streak to 21.1 consecutive innings.

Through his dominant stretch on the mound, Gallen has seen his record on the year improve to 9-2 while sporting a 2.78 ERA.

“Everything (just) started to take shape,” the righty said. “Had a pretty good feel for the slider lately, the curveball has felt good and same thing with the changeup.

“Everything is kind of just synced up and gone really well.”

He said that in the past, he had a tendency to lean on whatever is working rather than mixing pitches. Now with everything working in 2021, Gallen is throwing everything.

“It’s just having confidence in everything,” Gallen said. “I think I’m at my best when I can throw all four or five pitches for strikes.”

Gallen added that this D-backs’ clubhouse is the closest one he’s been in before, crediting a lot of that to a handful of players spending time together in the minors.

“As a whole, we all like to hang out with each other … guys just enjoy each other’s company,” he said. “Everyone is starting to gel together and it’s pretty cool.”

The Diamondbacks begin a three-game series with the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday at 6:40 p.m. on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station. 

Arizona Diamondbacks

Lourdes Gurriel Jr....

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks keep good times rolling with 14-run inning, Opening Day rout of Rockies

What the Diamondbacks accomplished in the third inning against the Rockies on Thursday night was completely new for those in the ballpark. 

5 hours ago

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. flips his bat during Arizona Diamondbacks' 2024 Opening Day...

Arizona Sports

Diamondbacks score 14 runs in a single inning to beat Rockies on Opening Day

The Arizona Diamondbacks set franchise marks with 13 hits and 14 runs in the third inning of their 2024 Opening Day game against the Rockies.

8 hours ago

Blaze Alexander...

Alex Weiner

Blaze Alexander did all he could to make Diamondbacks’ Opening Day roster

Diamondbacks infielder Blaze Alexander put together a spring that made it too difficult for the team to send him back to the minor leagues.

12 hours ago

Ketel Marte celebrates...

Tyler Drake

Ketel Marte to lead off Arizona Diamondbacks’ Opening Day lineup

The Arizona Diamondbacks' Opening Day lineup is set ahead of their matchup against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday.

15 hours ago

Jordan Montgomery throws a pitch...

Tyler Drake

Hall: Diamondbacks’ addition of Jordan Montgomery ‘made a lot of sense’

The Diamondbacks' addition of Jordan Montgomery puts a bow on a rotation that should be in the conversation for the top spot across MLB.

17 hours ago

Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno...

Arizona Sports

Roundtable picks: One Diamondbacks young player to watch in 2024

Which Arizona Diamondbacks player should continue an upward trend in 2024? Gabriel Moreno, Brandon Pfaadt and Alek Thomas are possibilities.

17 hours ago

‘Everything is synced up’ on the mound for D-backs starter Zac Gallen