By the Numbers: D-backs Sweep Pirates

The Arizona Diamondbacks made their way to Pittsburgh and had to battle the Pirates, and the weather, but came away with a four game sweep:

Thursday: Diamondbacks win 9-3
Friday: Diamondbacks win 2-1 (13 innings)
Saturday: Diamondbacks win 7-2
Sunday: Diamondbacks win 3-0

Starters are Cruising

The Diamondbacks starters were hitting on all cylinders with Zack Godley, Zack Greinke, Patrick Corbin and Clay Buchholz combining for the following:

24 IP, 11 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 29 Ks and three wins

Buchholz, who had thrown 53 pitchers through five innings, was pulled due to “left side tightness.” 

Hot Start for Bats

The Diamondbacks outscored the Pirates 15-0 in the first three innings of each game, highlighted by eight runs in the first three of Thursday’s game. In three of the four games, the Snakes were able to score at least three runs in the first third of the game.

Ketel Marte

Marte went 3/14 in the series, but when he got on base, he found ways to score with three runs notched in the series. He also knocked in three runs, and was involved in both runs scored by the Diamondbacks in Friday’s extra innings win. He hit a chopper that led to a two-base error in the 11th inning to bring in Jake Lamb and then knocked in the go-ahead run in the 13th to take the win.

Jon Jay

The “new guy” has continued his hot 2018. In three games, he hit 5/14 with three runs scored and and three RBIs. Since June 12th, he has a hit in 10/11 game he has played in with the Snakes.

Project 34

Some things are bigger than baseball. Pirates starter Trevor Williams was a top ASU pitcher, and his best friend is Diamondbacks coordinator of pro scouting Cory Hahn. Hahn was teammates with Williams in Tempe and tragically was paralyzed from the chest down after sliding head first into second base in his third collegiate game. Together, they formed Project 34, a foundation that helps provide financial support for people with spinal cord injuries. The program launched on Friday with a benefit day at PNC Park.

Haley Stesiak provides more here:

https://www.sports360az.com/2018/06/project-34-officially-launches/

What’s Next

The Diamondbacks head to Miami for a four-game series. Shelby Miller will make his debut on Monday after Tommy John surgery, along with Zack Godley, Patrick Corbin and Zack Greinke also making starts.