PHOENIX — After some early hiccups, the Arizona Diamondbacks played another quality all-around game, shutting out the San Diego Padres after the first inning for a 5-1 victory at Chase Field.
The Diamondbacks have won four straight games after sweeping the Seattle Mariners early this week, doing so with quality starting pitching, improved defense and enough timely hitting.
They are back over .500 (35-34) for the first time since May 23 (26-25).
The Diamondbacks combined slug with timely knocks to build their lead, starting with a game-tying solo shot by Josh Naylor in the second inning off Padres starters Stephen Kolek. Geraldo Perdomo delivered a go-ahead, RBI single in the third inning to cap a two-out rally started by Corbin Carroll reaching base on a dropped third strike (passed ball on Elias Diaz).
After Carroll homered in the fifth, Ketel Marte singled, Perdomo doubled and Naylor hit a sacrifice fly. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. drove home Perdomo with a single to take a 5-1 lead.
Diamondbacks pitching stands tall vs. Padres
The Padres hit D-backs starter Ryne Nelson hard at first, attacking strikes early in the count after Nelson struggled with walks in Cincinnati on Saturday. But Nelson limited them to one run through five innings pitched, which was unearned.
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Fernando Tatis Jr. hit a double on the first pitch of the game, and he scored on a fly ball by Luis Arraez. Center fielder Alek Thomas’ throw skipped by the glove of third baseman Eugenio Suarez and past Nelson backing up, gifting San Diego a run.
Arizona’s defense was not the sharpest in the first two innings, but that changed. It was excellent for the rest of the game after an apparent gaffe on a throw down to second base was wiped away by an umpire’s interference call.
San Diego knocked four hits in the second and third innings but did not score. The Padres went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position against Nelson, who seemed to really settle in after some loud contact early. Arizona pulled him after 79 pitches, his second highest total of the season.
From there, the bullpen had itself a day.
Kyle Backhus recorded four outs, helped by a stellar 6-3 double play by Perdomo. Juan Morillo retired the final two batters of the seventh, and Ryan Thompson earned a 1-2-3 eighth inning against the top of the Padres’ lineup.
Gurriel made a leaping grab to his backhand to rob Arraez of potential extra bases.
Shelby Miller, who is now the de facto closer with Justin Martinez needing Tommy John surgery, locked down the ninth inning.
The bullpen finished with four innings pitched, no hits and one walk.
Diamondbacks’ next game
Zac Gallen takes the mound for the Diamondbacks on Saturday, another national TV game on FOX. Right-hander Ryan Bergert will make his third career start for San Diego.
First pitch is at 4:15 p.m. on 98.7 and the Arizona Sports app.
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