Number Crunch: D-backs Win Series Against Cardinals

The Arizona Diamondbacks won their third series to open the season, the first time in franchise history. Despite frigid tempueratures and, at times, quiet bats, the club 

The Snakes, now 7-2, won the series against the St. Louis Cardinals.

April 5^th – Diamondbacks won 3-1
April 7^th – Cardinals won 5-3
April 8^th – Diamondbacks won 4-1

Pollock/Peralta

We’ve seen David Peralta at the top of the lineup and A.J. Pollock occupy the second position and clean-up spot in the lineup this year. Pollock tallied 7/12 with three runs, a home run, an RBI and a stolen base. Peralta 4/11 with two runs scored a home run and four RBIs including the go-ahead, two-run home run in the series finale.

Starting Performances

Robbie Ray and Taijuan Walker bounced back with impressive starts in this series. Walker threw six innings while giving up just one earned run. Ray also threw six innings, giving up two hits and striking out nine. Ray’s five walks in that outing was the only red flag in that performance, but both starters fueled the club to two wins in a series where runs were at a premium.

Hitters 5-9

The Diamondbacks are without Jake Lamb and Steven Souza Jr., and Paul Goldschmidt’s struggles continue. The 5-9 hitters are also seeing their fair share of struggles as well. In Saturday and Sunday’s game, the group went 3/32. Overall, the group hit 7/48 with ten walks. Chris Owings had five of those hits.

While the hits may have been scarce, they were clutch. Nick Ahmed’s lone hit of the series tied the game at 1-1 on Sunday and set up for David Peralta’s and A.J. Pollock’s home runs later that inning.

Lovullo Reaches Win 100

Congratulations to Torey Lovullo, who became the quickest manager to win 100 games in franchise history on Sunday. Ironically, Lovullo was thrown out of the game in the second inning after A.J. Pollock struck out on a called third strike that looked low. Lovullo came out of the dugout and was almost instantly thrown out of the game. He referenced St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina, who took offense to that, lunged at Lovullo and the benches cleared.

Weather

The Snakes went from a nice, climate controlled setting in Chase Field to, well, not that in St. Louis. Saturday’s first pitch temperature was 37 degrees, matching the the coldest first pitch temperature in team history in 2004 against the Rockies.

The Diamondbacks now head to (slightly) warmer settings as they continue their road trip to San Francisco and Los Angeles for two three-game series.

Zack Godley, Patrick Corbin and Robbie Ray are slated to start the San Francisco series.