Arizona Diamondbacks – gain series win over Brewers

For only the second time since late June, the Arizona Diamondbacks captured a series

It’s rare these days that the Arizona Diamondbacks manage to get a lead during any part of the game. On Sunday afternoon, they benefited from a plethora of Milwaukee mistakes early to forge a slight lead, and then piled on the Brewers.

In this game, the Arizona Diamondbacks held leads of one run and the three runs, and broke this one open mid-way through the contest. Scoring eight runs in consecutive innings, the fragile bullpen held on and helped to give the Arizona Diamondbacks a 9-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers before 24,021 in Chase Field.

With the triumph, the Arizona Diamondbacks secured their first series victory in two weeks, but only their second series victory since sweeping the Philllies in Philadelphia from June 17 to June 20. Plus, this was only the second time since June 24 that the Arizona Diamondbacks scored nine or more runs in a game.

“It’s a good accomplishment, and makes the players feel good,” manager Chip Hale said. “With something like this, the guys always feel better, and makes the plane ride a little easier.”

The reference is to an up-coming road trip to New York and Boston. For now, this was a game which tended to show the team’s capability.

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Starter Archie Bradley was one batter away from securing the victory, but a high pitch influenced his length in this game. Holding to a 3-2 advantage in the fifth, Bradley’s pitch count was above 110 and after he walked Jonathan Villar with two outs in the fifth, manager Chip Hale paid a visit to the mound. While Hale’s intention could have been interpreted to leave Bradley in to complete five innings, needed for the win, the right-hander could not finish off the Brewers.

After Hale’s decision to let Bradley get out of the inning, Villar stole second and moved to third when catcher Tuffy Gosewisch threw the ball into centerfield. Shortstop Orlando Arcia singled to center and that tied the game.

That brought Hale back to the mound and exit Bradley. For his effort, Bradley did not complete the fifth inning, and ended with 116 pitches thrown. That represented the most in any game in his career.

From the start, his pitch rose, and that’s because Villar started the game with a 14 pitch at-bat. By the time he completed the first inning, Bradley tossed 30 pitches and was up to 92 pitches after four innings. For the game, Bradley allowed just three hits and three runs, walked three and fanned eight hitters.

“I just want to be aggressive out there,” Bradley said. “After what happened against Washington, this is a big step for me, and something I can build.”

In Bradley’s last start Aug. 1 against the Nationals, he lasted only until the fourth inning, gave up 12 hits, eight runs, and absorbed a 14-3 loss.

By the time Bradley left, the offense kicked into high gear. Powered by home runs in the fifth inning by Jake Lamb and the first career pinch-hit bomb from Phil Gosselin, the Arizona Diamondbacks banged out five extra-base hits in the frame. That tied a franchise record for most extra bases hits in an inning and that has been done seven times. The last time was on Aug. 11, 2015 (second inning) against the Phillies.

“That’s what this team is capable of doing,” said Lamb, who contributed with a 3-for-5 afternoon and two more RBIs. “I’m doing okay right now, and if you want to call it locked in, yeah, I guess I’m locked.”

After taking time for a bone bruise to heal in his right hand, Lamb continues to put up numbers. To this point, he leads the team in home runs and RBIs. Of Lamb’s 24 home run this season, 12 have either tied a game or given the Diamondbacks the lead.

On the road again

After a day-off Monday, the Arizona Diamondbacks open a six-game road trip in New York against the Mets.

Next: Peralta on DL for third time

In the Tuesday night opener, Zack Grienke (10-3, 3.62 ERA) comes off the disabled list to start his first game since June 28. Left-hander Steven Matz (8-8, 3.63) draws the opposition. On Wednesday night, look for lefty Robbie Ray (5-11, 4.83) to take on Bartolo Colon (10-6, 3.46). In the Thursday afternoon finale, right-hander Braden Shipley (1-1, 4.15)  is scheduled to start against Noah Syndergaard (9-6, 2.64). Then, it’s on to Fenway Park for three with the Red Sox in Boston.