By the numbers: D-backs win over Blue Jays is both odd and impressive

Jun 21, 2016, 9:35 PM | Updated: 9:40 pm

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Patrick Corbin (46) works against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 21, 2016, in Toronto. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)

(Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)

BY KEVIN ZIMMERMAN

Arizona Sports

Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale might grit his teeth at his team churning out three hits Tuesday against the Toronto Blue Jays.

That it was a 4-2 win for Arizona’s fifth victory in a row, however, made it easier to swallow.

“We’d like to see the ball put in play a little more,” Hale told FOX Sports Arizona. “We’ll take it. I didn’t realize it ’til I looked up in the seventh and it was only three hits? I had to check my card.”

Hale may not have eyed the scoreboard close enough until that point because his D-backs never trailed, but how Arizona found itself with any lead against a red-hot Toronto team was a combination of fine pitching from starter Patrick Corbin and timely — if rare — hits from some of the lesser-known characters on the roster.

Here’s how the Diamondbacks pulled off a grinding game, by the numbers.

105

How hot were the Blue Jays’ bats? Toronto finished the evening with 105 RBI through its last 18 games. Those June outings have produced the second-most RBI this month. The Blue Jays also are second in the majors with 35 homers in June.

The total number of D-backs hits for the game. Yes, Arizona pulled four runs out of a hat. First, Jean Segura stole second after being walked and was knocked home with a third-inning, two-out single by backup catcher Chris Herrmann. Then in the fourth frame, Yasmany Tomas homered for a two-run shot following a Rickie Weeks walk, and Peter O’Brien walloped a solo homer off the foul pole for insurance in the seventh.

Nothin' but netting.https://t.co/iqD3fuTbEv

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) June 22, 2016

.515

While O’Brien’s .152 average through 10 games is cringe-worthy, his slugging percentage of .515 ranks third on the team, behind Jake Lamb (.556) and Herrmann (.536). While it’s a small sample size, it’s still odd O’Brien has recorded four home runs on his five hits. Had Toronto outfielder Kevin Pillar not done this, O’Brien would have added another hit to his outing.

Blue Jays starting pitcher Marco Estrada set an MLB record, becoming the first to hold opponents to five or fewer hits and pitch six or more frames in 11 straight starts. He left the game after six innings due to a back injury.

0-of-8

Arizona’s two best sluggers on the year didn’t have it going Tuesday. Jake Lamb and Paul Goldschmidt each failed to reach base. Lamb struck out all four at-bats and Goldschmidt did so twice. They combined to leave three men on base.

It’s the end of a streak. Goldschmidt’s hitting streak was clipped at 13 games. Those games were impressive.

Paul Goldschmidt is slashing .396/.458/.698 during his @MLB-leading 13-game hitting streak. pic.twitter.com/KUQ9BTJNRo

— MLB Stat of the Day (@MLBStatoftheDay) June 20, 2016

Corbin allowed all eight hits by the Jays, but he limited Toronto to two earned runs in the fourth inning. Corbin went 6.1 innings with three walks and three strikeouts.

Reliever Daniel Hudson recorded his first save of the season, closing out a fine night from the Arizona bullpen that included 0.2 innings from Jake Barrett after he inherited two runners from Corbin and a full inning from Tyler Clippard.

Follow @kzimmermanaz

Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) hits a single to center field against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 21, 2016, in Toronto. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Patrick Corbin (46) works against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 21, 2016, in Toronto. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Jean Segura (2) steals second base past Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (2) during the third inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 21, 2016, in Toronto. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

Arizona Diamondbacks center fielder Michael Bourn (1) reacts after striking out against the Toronto Blue Jays during the third inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 21, 2016, in Toronto. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (44) reacts after striking out against the Toronto Blue Jays during the third inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 21, 2016, in Toronto. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

RETRANSMISSION TO CLARIFY THAT THE BATTER WAS OUT - Toronto Blue Jays center fielder Kevin Pillar (11) makes a diving catch against the wall on a line drive by Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder Peter O'Brien (14) during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 21, 2016, in Toronto. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder Yasmany Tomas, left, rounds the bases after hitting a two run home run as Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Marco Estrada (25) reacts during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 21, 2016, in Toronto. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder Yasmany Tomas (24) hits a two run home run against the Toronto Blue Jays during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 21, 2016, in Toronto. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder Yasmany Tomas, right, celebrates his two run home run against the Toronto Blue Jays with teammate Rickie Weeks during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 21, 2016, in Toronto. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder Yasmany Tomas, center, celebrates his two run home run with teammates in the dugout while playing against the Toronto Blue Jays during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 21, 2016, in Toronto. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson breaks his bat against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 21, 2016, in Toronto. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Jean Segura forces out Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Devon Travis (29) at second base then turns the double play over to first base to out Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 21, 2016, in Toronto. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Daniel Hudson (41) celebrates with teammate Chris Herrmann (10) after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in a baseball game, Tuesday, June 21, 2016, in Toronto. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

RETRANSMISSION TO CLARIFY THAT THE BATTER WAS OUT - Toronto Blue Jays center fielder Kevin Pillar makes a diving catch against the wall on a line drive by Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder Peter O'Brien during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 21, 2016, in Toronto. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion (10) reacts after a strike from Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Patrick Corbin during the third inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 21, 2016, in Toronto. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

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