Diamondbacks Win Third In A Row With 7-4 Victory Over Brewers

In just a few days, the Arizona Diamondbacks have turned the narrative of a September collapse. With their 7-4 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night, they reclaimed the second Wild Card spot by one game over the Mets and extended their lead over the Braves to three games with just eight games to play.

The offense and bullpen picked up Zac Gallen after the staff ace held a 4-0 lead, allowing three homers in the fifth inning. Gallen once again struggled in the first innings, but was able to get out of the innings unscathed, needing 27 pitches to do so. It was the 11th time in 27 starts. Gallen needed 20 or more pitches to complete the first inning.

After settling for three innings, Gallen had an unusual struggle with the long ball. Entering the game having given up just 10 homers, Joey Ortiz, William Contreras and Garrett Mitchell all took it deep.

Before that, the D backs seemed to be in control of the game. As has been the case so often this year, Ketel Marte led off with a first-inning homer against Brewers starter Colin Rea. It was Mars’ 12th first-inning homer and 33rd of the year. The All-Star second baseman also had an RBI double in the fifth inning.

Geraldo Perdomo had a good game, going 2-for-3, including a bases-loaded RBI single in the second inning. That was part of a two-run inning.

With the score tied 4-4 right after Gallen’s meltdown, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. took a single down the stretch, hitting a long home run to left. It was Gurriel’s 18th homer of the year, coming in his first game off the injured list from a strained calf. That started a three-run inning, putting the D-backs up 7-4.

There, the score would remain as the bullpen came in to record four shutout innings. Kevin Ginkel, Justin Martinez, Ryan Thompson and then finally AJ Puk combined to go 12 without a run. They gave up five hits and struck out six without walking a batter.

Notably, Martinez worked the seventh inning and Puk was called upon to pitch the ninth for the save. Speaking to Jody Jackson after the game, manager Torey Lovullo said they need a comfortable stoppage at that point in the game in that part of the lineup.

Lovullo further explained, saying, “It was a big risk, I know, but (Martinez) is very flexible and can throw in any inning at the best time. If you need a save in the seventh inning, this would have been one of those times.”

At the same time, Puk is one of, if not the hottest reliever in MLB right now. He gave up a single, but struck out three batters in the ninth. His scoreless streak is now up to 20.2 innings pitched with eight strikeouts, three walks and 34 strikeouts. He recorded his second save as a Diamondback.

Gallen got the win, and his record goes to 13-6, despite his ERA rising to 3.74. The D-backs record is now 86-68. Game three of the series against the Brewers is Saturday at 4:10 p.m. Arizona time. Merrill Kelly will face fellow right-hander Aaron Civale.