The Arizona Diamondbacks have won their fourth straight series for the first time since the franchise began in 1998 with a win over the Giants on Wednesday.
April 9: Diamondbacks win 2-1
April 10: Diamondbacks lose 5-4
April 11: Diamondbacks win 7-3
Goldschmidt Happens
Paul Goldschmidt is finding his rhythm after a dormant first few series. Coming into this series the first baseman was 3 for 30 batting at .100. Goldschmidt hit his first home run of 2018 with the D-backs down one run with two outs in the ninth inning against Giants’ pitcher Hunter Strickland on Tuesday. Then in Wednesday’s matinee, Goldschmidt went yard again for his second home run in his last three at-bats. Goldy also had an RBI double in the D-backs’ win. He went 5 for 12 on the series.
"Goldy's back." That's 2 HRs in his last 3 at-bats for Paul Goldschmidt and the @Dbacks take a 2-0 lead in the 4th inning. pic.twitter.com/om0GoGttZO
— Bally Sports Arizona (@BALLYSPORTSAZ) April 11, 2018
Godley Dominates
Zack Godley dominated the Giants on Monday. The Bull went seven innings allowing only four hits with nine strikeouts. Godley leads the National League with a 0.64 ERA in his 14 innings this season.
"Their aggressiveness played right into what we wanted to do." — Zack Godley, who also answered a question about what makes his curveball so effective with, "They don't hit it." pic.twitter.com/cXPXQ10aeE
— Bally Sports Arizona (@BALLYSPORTSAZ) April 10, 2018
On Tuesday, Patrick Corbin was dominant until the sixth inning when he loaded the bases, then walked Andrew McCutchen bringing in a run. The Giants then scored again on a sac fly by catcher Buster Posey to even the game at two.
With Archie Bradley and Yoshi Hirano unavailable, the D-backs went to Fernando Salas who retired five batters, but Andrew Chafin and Jorge De La Rosa each gave up a run leading to the Giants’ victory.
Tuesday’s game was when Torey Lovullo served his suspension for his confrontation with Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina last weekend. Bench coach Jerry Narron filled in.
On Wednesday, Robbie Ray didn’t have the command that he had in his last outing against St. Louis. Ray went 4.2 innings allowing three runs on five hits, striking out six.
Injury Updates
David Peralta was held out of the lineup on Tuesday and Wednesday with soreness in his left hand that has been lingering since spring training. Lovullo said it is not anything extremely serious and that Peralta is able to play they are just taking precaution to prevent the injury from lingering further into the season.
Steven Souza Jr. will not return to the D-backs as early as expected. Souza played in an extended spring training game on Monday and was still experiencing some discomfort in his pectoral area. An MRI showed there was still fluid in the area, so he will be shut down as a precaution for a few days before getting back at it.
Jake Lamb’s rehab is going as expected. He took some dry swings and ran on Monday, then did a soft toss program on Tuesday.
Next Up
The Diamondbacks will wrap up their first road trip of the season in Los Angeles against the Dodgers before returning to Chase Field next weekend. Zack Greinke is Friday’s probable starter, Taijuan Walker on Saturday and Zack Godley on Sunday.
