Series in Review: Comfort of Home, Godley Solid

The Arizona Diamondbacks went on the road to the country’s capital for a three-game series against the Washington Nationals to start the month of May. The Dbacks dropped the series 1-2, then came back West for their second three-game series against the Colorado Rockies and dropped that series 1-2, as well. 

On Tuesday, the Diamondbacks returned to Chase Field to take on the Detroit Tigers in a two-game interleague series. Here’s what we learned from the midweek games:

The Comfort of Home

The Diamondbacks are 6-10 on the road so far this season. At home, they’re 13-6 and tied with the Dodgers for the fourth-best home win percentage in the League.

The sense of the Diamondbacks comfort at Chase Field doesn’t stop there. The team is second in the League with a .297 batting average at home, hold first place in doubles with 47, in runs with 120, in hits with 201, in RBIs with 113 and in stolen bases with 26. The numbers don’t lie, these Diamondbacks are homebodies.

Back in the comfort of Chase Field on Tuesday and Wednesday, Brandon Drury extended his home hit streak to eight games. Drury went 2 for 4 with two doubles and an RBI on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Drury again went 2 for 4 with a home run and a double.

Not Ray’s Day

Robbie Ray did not have a the outing the Diamondbacks were hoping for against the Tigers on Tuesday. Ray went five innings giving up five runs on five hits, with five walks and eight strikeouts in the 7-3 loss. It was Ray’s third loss of the season.

The Tigers got out to an early 2-0 lead after plating a runner in the top of the first two frames, then the Dbacks responded with three runs in the third to take the lead. Ray couldn’t slow down Detroit’s hitters in the top of the fifth though allowing three more runs in the inning. 

After the game, manager Torey Lovullo was honest about how he thought Ray performed.

“I thought Robbie was a little inconsistent,” Lovullo said. “It wasn’t one of his best outings. He was spraying his fastball around the zone. I think they were waiting him out.”

Godley’s Solid Second Outing 

Zack Godley was recalled from Triple-A Reno on Wednesday and got the start for the Diamondbacks in game two against the Tigers. Godley was brought up for the second time this season for a spot start to help fill the starter role of Shelby Miller. Miller’s season ended early because of an elbow injury in which he opted to undergo Tommy John surgery for.

On Wednesday, Godley pitched a solid seven innings allowing one run on four hits with one walk and six strikeouts. At one point, Godley had retired 11 straight Tiger hitters.

“We needed somebody to step up,” Lovullo said. “Zack Godley did a great job for us. Seven outstanding innings…what more could you ask for.”

The win is Godley’s first of the season with the Diamondbacks.

On Thursday, the Diamondbacks will open a four-game series with the Pirates at Chase Field.