The proof is in the pudding: It’s David Peralta’s world, we’re just living in it

Aug 11, 2015, 10:02 PM | Updated: 11:09 pm
Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder David Peralta (6) is congratulated by teammates after hitting a g...

Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder David Peralta (6) is congratulated by teammates after hitting a grand slam during the second inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015, in Phoenix. (Isaac Hale/The Arizona Republic via AP)

(Isaac Hale/The Arizona Republic via AP)

To say that Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder David Peralta has been in a rhythm as of late would be a disservice to the guy who has been arguably the D-backs’ best hitter since becoming a regular in the lineup last month.

More accurately, post-June 23 David Peralta is more akin to Superman wielding a baseball bat infused with lightning and god particles; a man with no discernible weakness (at least on planet Earth) and possessing an uncanny ability to be all things at all times for a team that continues to stalk the division-leading Los Angeles Dodgers, sitting six and a half games out of first place in the NL West.

Since June 23, and including Tuesday night’s 13-1 bludgeoning of Philadelphia, Peralta has compiled a list of numbers so gaudy that even Russell Westbrook’s fashion consultant would blush.

In 40 games, Peralta has reached base via hit or walk 27 times, hitting safely in 32 of those contests, while batting .364 (52-for-143) with eight doubles, seven triples, six home runs and 32 RBI.

Among NL players since June 23, Peralta ranked first entering the day in batting average on balls in play (.450) and triples (7), second in average (.360) and OPS (1.055), third in total bases (87) and fifth in on-base percentage (.429).

In his 21 home games since June 29, Peralta is hitting .387 (27-for-71) with four doubles, five triples, three homers and 20 RBI.

If you take “What have you done for me lately” to the extreme, or are simply a difficult person to impress, Peralta has you covered there, as well. On the heels of his 2-for-4 effort with a home run and a career-high five RBI Tuesday, Peralta, in his last three games, is batting .714 (10-for-14) and is 13-for-24 (.542) in the midst of a six-game hitting streak.  He’s also reached base safely in each of his last 12 starts and is batting .542 with 16 RBI in his last 15 games with runners in scoring position.

After posting a .329 batting average in July, the 27-year-old Venezuelan is batting .444 in August, including 12-for-20 (.600) with two doubles, 10 RBI, a walk and three runs scored over the span of the D-backs’ current homestand.

If you somehow remain unconvinced of Peralta’s effect on this team of late, look no further than his grand slam in the second inning of Tuesday’s game.  The round-tripper was not only a significant part of an 11-run frame for the D-backs, but was a play that also effectively torpedoed whatever hope the Phillies had of getting back into the game, extending Arizona’s lead to 8-1.

Of course, all good things are bound to come to and end, but for now, this big blue rock spinning in outer space belongs to one David Peralta.  All we can do is bear witness with mouth agape, applauding the stellar effort of a master at work.

Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder David Peralta (6) is congratulated by teammates after hitting a grand slam during the second inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015, in Phoenix. (Isaac Hale/The Arizona Republic via AP) Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher David Buchanan (55) is removed from the baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the second inning Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015, in Phoenix. (Isaac Hale/The Arizona Republic via AP) Philadelphia Phillies' Maikel Franco reacts after being hit by a pitch from Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Jeremy Hellickson during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015, in Phoenix. (Isaac Hale/The Arizona Republic via AP) Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher David Buchanan adjusts his cap during the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks during a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015, in Phoenix. (Isaac Hale/The Arizona Republic via AP) Philadelphia Phillies' David Buchanan covers his face with his hat between pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Philadelphia Phillies' Andres Blanco (4) scores as Arizona Diamondbacks' Jarrod Saltalamacchia, left, waits for a late throw during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Philadelphia Phillies' David Buchanan wipes sweat from his face between pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Diamondbacks' Aaron Hill, right, celebrates his two-run home run with Yasmany Tomas (24) as Philadelphia Phillies' Cameron Rupp, left, looks to the infield during the second inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Diamondbacks' Chris Owings, right, shakes hands with A.J. Pollock (11) after Owings scored a run against the Philadelphia Phillies during the second inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Philadelphia Phillies' Darin Ruf walks over to the baseball after Arizona Diamondbacks' Chris Owings hit a two-run ground-rule double over Ruf during the second inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Diamondbacks' Jeremy Hellickson connects for a two-run single against the Philadelphia Phillies during the second inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Philadelphia Phillies' David Buchanan takes his hat off after giving up a two-run single to Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Jeremy Hellickson during the second inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Diamondbacks' David Peralta, middle, is greeted at home plate by A.J. Pollock (11) and Paul Goldschmidt (44) after Peralta's grand slam, as Philadelphia Phillies catcher Cameron Rupp, second from left, gwaits during the second inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Philadelphia Phillies' David Buchanan gets a new baseball after giving up a grand slam to Arizona Diamondbacks' David Peralta during the second inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Diamondbacks' David Peralta points to the sky as he arrives at home plate after hitting a grand slam against the Philadelphia Phillies during the second inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Diamondbacks' David Peralta points to the crowd as he rounds the bases after hitting a grand slam against the Philadelphia Phillies during the second inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Philadelphia Phillies' David Buchanan (55) looks down while standing on the pitching mound after giving up a grand slam to Arizona Diamondbacks' David Peralta, left, during the second inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Philadelphia Phillies assistant athletic trainer Shawn Fcasni, left, attends to Maikel Franco (7) after Franco was hit by a pitch thrown by Arizona Diamondbacks' Jeremy Hellickson during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015, in Phoenix.  Franco left the game. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Philadelphia Phillies' Maikel Franco grimaces after being hit by a pitch thrown by Arizona Diamondbacks' Jeremy Hellickson during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015, in Phoenix.  Franco left the game. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Diamondbacks' David Peralta, right, follows through on a grand slam as Philadelphia Phillies' Cameron Rupp, left, watches during the second inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Diamondbacks' Paul Goldschmidt, right, fields a grounder hit by Philadelphia Phillies' Chase Utley as pitcher Jeremy Hellickson (58) runs over to cover first base for the out during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Diamondbacks' Jeremy Hellickson throws a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Philadelphia Phillies' David Buchanan throws a pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Philadelphia Phillies' Adam Loewen, right, kicks the dirt on the pitching mound after giving up a home run to Arizona Diamondbacks' Jarrod Saltalamacchia, left, during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015, in Phoenix. The Diamondbacks defeated the Phillies 13-1. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Diamondbacks' Jake Lamb makes a diving catch on a foul ball hit by Philadelphia Phillies' Odubel Herrera during the eighth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015, in Phoenix.  The Diamondbacks defeated the Phillies 13-1. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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The proof is in the pudding: It’s David Peralta’s world, we’re just living in it