Well, if a Tom Petty song could describe the Diamondbacks’ stretch in late May, it would be “Free Fallin’,” but on this homestand against the Reds and Marlins, it’s more to the tune of “I Won’t Back Down.”
The Snakes won five of six in their most recent trip to Chase Field, and the recently dormant lineup produced 15 home runs in six game, including a career-high six home run effort on Friday. They hit 16 home runs in the 24 games leading up to that home stand.
Friday June 1st – Diamondbacks win 9-1
Saturday June 2nd – Diamondbacks win 6-2
Sunday June 3rd – Diamondbacks win 6-1
David Peralta
The Freight Train did something he’s never done before in his career: hit a home run in every game of a series. The outfielder had seen his at-bats come almost exclusively at the leadoff position, but hit in the fourth and fifth spot in he lineup. Overall he hit 5/11 3 HR, 3 R, 5 RBI.
Ketel Marte
Ketel Marte has shown flashes at the plate of what he can do, but this home stand might be the most sustained stretch of success Diamondback fans have seen from him. In the two series he hit 8/19, 2 HR, 7 R, 6 RBI and was continually able to find multiple bases.
Starters Getting It Done
Clay Bucholz, Zack Greinke and Matt Koch were certainly helped by that offensive explosion, and they did not disappoint. The combined for:
20.2 IP, 16 H, 2 BB, 2 ER, 21 K, .87 ERA, .871 WHIP
Bucholz has been absolutely phenomenal since joining the team. In each of his three starts, he has only given up one run. In this case, he stretched his start to seven innings and struck out nine along the way.
Koch has had some up and down starts the past few weeks, but he spun one of the best in his early career, pitching seven innings, giving up just three hits and striking out a career-high six.
The Diamondbacks now head on the road to play the San Francisco Giants and Colorado Rockies.
