D-backs look to take Tuesday’s momentum to San Diego

Arizona Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte (4) scores as Texas Rangers catcher Isiah Kiner-Falefa (9), is late fielding the throw, during the fourth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug.14, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)

The Arizona Diamondbacks split a two-game series with the Texas Rangers on Tuesday. The D-backs are now 2-3 on this road trip as they head to San Diego for a four-game series.

August 13: Rangers win 5-3
August 14: Diamondbacks win 6-4

First inning runs

The Diamondbacks scored runs in the first inning of both games in Arlington. They now lead the Majors with 98 first inning runs, ahead of the Indians with 88, Rockies with 85 and Mariners with 83, per the D-backs’ communications team.

As a designated hitter on Tuesday, Paul Goldschmidt got the scoring going with home run number 27 of the season in the first. It was Goldschmidt’s third career home run as a DH.

Goldschmidt

On the topic of Goldschmidt…America’s first baseman has now reached base safely in 21 straight games. It is his longest streak since his streak of 20 straight from Sept. 18, 2016-Apr. 9, 2017.

In that time, Goldschmidt is batting at .329 with six doubles, six home runs and 13 RBI.

On the road, Goldy has reached safely in 34 straight games, tying Conor Jackson for the second-longest streak in D-backs’ history.

Extra Bases

Goldschmidt wasn’t the only one to homer in this two game series. Alex Avila hit a home run in the sixth on Tuesday to give the D-backs a comfortable lead late.

Also in these two games, the D-backs had five doubles. A.J. Pollock and Steven Souza Jr. doubled on Monday, while Ketel Marte, Daniel Descalso and Nick Ahmed all doubled on Tuesday.

Starting pitching

Zack Greinke went 6 1/3 on Monday, but gave up a couple of home runs that ended up being costly in the 5-3 loss.

On Tuesday, Patrick Corbin went seven innings allowing three runs on six hits with seven strikeouts. The bullpen came on and took care of business as Corbin earned his tenth win of the year.

NL West 

The D-backs got lucky this past weekend as the Rockies took two of three against the Dodgers to keep the NL West race tight, but to prevent the Dodgers from moving further ahead. 

The Dodgers took on the Giants, who are five games back in a two-game set to start the week. The Giants took both games, making things happen late in the ninth inning to seal both victories.

Colorado beat the defending World Series champs, the Houston Astros, 5-1 Tuesday night.

Arizona has a one game lead on Colorado and a two game lead on LA heading into this third weekend of August.

Next Up

Probable starters for the four-game set in San Diego against the Padres are Clay Buchholz on Thursday, Robbie Ray on Friday, Zack Godley on Saturday and Zack Greinke on Sunday.

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