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D-backs share first place in NL West with Dodgers after split with Giants

The Diamondbacks split the series with the Giants on Sunday. Arizona is now tied for first with the Dodgers in the NL West heading in to the first full week in August.

August 2: Giants win 8-1
August 3: Diamondbacks win 6-3
August 4: Diamondbacks win 9-3
August 5: Giants win 3-2

Do it all, Ahmed

Nick Ahmed had his second-career multi-homer game on Saturday night. The middle infielder hit one in the fifth, a two-run shot to put the D-backs up 8-2 mid-game, and then again in the eighth, a solo shot that helped seal the deal for AZ.

Ahmed went 3 for 3 with four RBIs in the win. 

Not only did he have himself a night offensively, but Ahmed has been proving he’s a stealthy short stop lately. He had this barehanded stop in the third inning for the final out of the top half of the frame.

Per the D-backs’ communications team Ahmed ranks second in MLB among shortstops with 13 defensive runs saved. Angels’ Andrelton Simmons leads the league with 15.

Peralta, Souza Jr. stay hot at the plate

David Peralta had himself quite a series against the Giants. The Freight Train went 8 for 17 on the series with two doubles, a home run and an RBI. On Friday night, Peralta came a triple shy of the cycle. He also tied his single-season home run record of 17 with a blast in the second inning.

Steven Souza Jr. has hit safely in 10 of his last 12 games batting at .355 with four doubles, a triple, two home runs and 13 RBI.  

New bullpen additions bounce back

Thursday night’s debut of the Diamondbacks’ new bullpen additions did not go as Arizona may have expected it to. After Zack Greinke went six innings allowing two runs on four hits, Lovullo went to the new guys in the pen. Jake Diekman went 1/3 of an inning and allowed a run, unearned, and walked two. Then Brad Ziegler came on for an inning and gave up four runs on three hits with a walk.

The bullpen’s blunder gave way to a win for the Giants to open the series.

On Saturday however, the new guys bounced back. Buchholz went a strong six innings allowing two runs on seven hits before handing it off to the bullpen.

Lovullo went to Ziegler first. He went 2/3 of an inning allowing two hits, but no runs. Then Diekman came on and posted zeros in 1/3 of an inning. Matt Andriese came on and posted zeros in one inning with one strikeout and Andrew Chafin closed it out, he allowed one run on two hits, but got all three outs via the strikeout.

Diekman pitched a shutout inning in ninth in the finale on Sunday, as well.

Goldschmidt’s 200th career HR

Paul Goldschmidt hit his 200th career home run on Friday in front of D-backs fans at Chase Field. 

Goldschmidt joins Luis Gonzalez as one of the only D-backs to hit 200+ home runs. The first baseman’s 200th blast came six years and one day after his first career homer, which was also against the Giants, on Aug. 2, 2011.

Lamb opts for shoulder surgery

Jake Lamb has decided to undergo surgery on his left rotator cuff and will be out for the rest of the 2018 season, the Diamondbacks announced on Thursday. More below:

https://www.sports360az.com/2018/08/jake-lamb-to-undergo-surgery-out-for-season/

Alumni Game

The Diamondbacks’ hosted their Alumni Game on Saturday. Check out photos from Andy Silvas:

https://www.sports360az.com/2018/08/gallery-diamondbacks-alumni-game-2/

Next Up

The Diamondbacks will host the Phillies for a three-game set to close out this homestand. Probable starters for the series are Zack Godley on Monday, Zack Greinke on Tuesday and Patrick Corbin on Wednesday to close the series.

Related posts:

Diamondbacks win fourth straight series

Diamondbacks sweep Rockies, remain atop NL West

Diamondbacks’ offense finds mid-week groove, injury updates

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