Miley Dazzles, D-Backs Return To Win Column

The Arizona Diamondbacks, led by Wade Miley put an end to their three-game losing streak, and beat the Tampa Bay Rays 7-0 on Wednesday night. Miley (8-8) worked 6.1 innings, not allowing a run while striking out eight, walking five and giving up just two hits. Jeremy Hellickson suffered the loss for Tampa Bay (10-4). He managed just 4.1 innings, surrendering four earned runs and giving up seven hits.

The Snakes got started things off early offensively. In the top of the first, after Martin Prado and Paul Goldschmidt reached base on a double and a HBP, respectively, Cody Ross stepped up to the plate and ripped a single, scoring both of them. They were far from finished, however, and in the third inning added on two more runs off the bat of Eric Chavez, who slugged a two-run homer to stretch the lead to 4-0.

Jul 31, 2013; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks right fielder Cody Ross (7), center fielder A.J. Pollock (11) and right fielder Gerardo Parra (8) celebrate after they beat the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Arizona Diamondbacks defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 7-0. Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Miley was excited about the offensive explosion early-on.

"“We scored two in the first inning, two more in the third. That’s huge,” Miley said. “You get some support and you just want to go out and get the offense back in the box as soon as possible.”"

Yet, the left-hander did run into some trouble. After the D-Backs scored once again and led 5-0, the Rays loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the seventh. Miley seemed to run out of gas, but not to worry; Heath Bell took the mound, struck out two straight batters, and just like that, the inning was over.

Arizona added on two more runs before closing out the Rays for a 7-0 victory. Chavez finished 2-for-4 with 3 RBIs, including hitting a home run for the second straight night. Goldy went 2-for-3 with three runs scored, 2 RBIs and a solo shot, while Cody Ross picked up three hits and two RBIs. Gerardo Parra and Prado both added two hits.

The D-Backs will be at the Ballpark in Arlington tomorrow evening for a 4:05pm makeup game against the Texas Rangers. Due to the Ian Kennedy trade, Zeke Spruill (0-0, 2.08 ERA) will start for Arizona and take on Yu Darvish (9-5, 2.80 ERA) of the Rangers.