Sports360AZ
The Arizona Diamondbacks 2017 success on the field may be an eye-opener to many around baseball circles but few were likely surprised Sunday evening when it was announced a quartet of players (Paul Goldschmidt, Jake Lamb, Zack Greinke and Robbie Ray) will be headed to Marlins Park in Miami next week to represent the National League in the 88th Midsummer Classic. It marks the third time in D-backs’ history the club will have four players in an All-Star Game.
Your #Dbacks will be well-represented in Miami at the 2017 #ASG!#OurSeason pic.twitter.com/NylR9Aej8T
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) July 2, 2017
Goldschmidt becomes the first player in team history to make five-straight All-Star games, which ties Luis Gonzalez and Randy Johnson for most overall. “America’s First Baseman” is batting .316 with 19 home runs and 66 runs batted in 82 games. He also leads the National League in on-base percentage (.436) and runs scored (70).
Lamb joins Matt Williams as the other third baseman in Arizona history to reach an All-Star Game. He is hitting .282 with 17 doubles, 18 home runs and 65 runs batted in in 79 games after narrowly missing making the 2016 NL squad.
When you find out you’re a 2017 All-Star with your squad. #OurSeason pic.twitter.com/zFZUdSeMV0
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) July 3, 2017
Greinke is making his fourth All-Star appearance and first as a Diamondback. In his second season wearing Sedona Red he’s 10-4 with a 3.05 ERA with 124 strikeouts and just 22 walks in 17 starts after an inconsistent 2016. He is among the NL leaders in pitching WAR, wins, strikeouts and ERA.
Congrats to @RobbieRay on his 1st career #ASG selection! #OurSeason pic.twitter.com/7F0BXBzBHS
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) July 2, 2017
The 25-year-old Ray is making his first appearance and becomes the third-youngest D-backs pitcher to be selected to the event. Ray has gone 8-4 with a 3.06 ERA, tallying 128 strikeouts against 48 walks in 16 starts and entered play Sunday among the league leaders in strikeouts, opponent’s batting average, ERA and wins.
The game will be played July 11th.
