Arroyo dazzles as the Diamondbacks blank the Padres

May 2, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks players celebrate following a against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. The Diamondbacks won 2-0.Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Bronson Arroyo is finally healthy and the Diamondbacks desperately needed that. Arroyo turned in his second great start and the Dbacks actually got him the victory. Arroyo didn’t allow a hit through the first five innings and pitched seven shutout innings lowering his era to 6.61 and the Dbacks have once again won two in a row. It was a rare night of triumph for the starting rotation which entered the day with a 5.20 era as a staff the worst mark in major league baseball. Arroyo might be back and that might be what this staff needs, a guy to harness the role of ace and after two great starts in a row maybe that guy is Bronson. All I know is this: the starting rotation is starting to turn it around. After Mike Bolsinger‘s start in Chicago, the rest of the starters started to turn in one great start after another. Despite taking a step back in the Rockies series, maybe Bronson starts a new streak.

Arroyo and relievers combined for a three hit shutout, the first time the Diamondbacks have allowed fewer than two runs in a game this season and their shutout since July 31st at Tampa Bay. Arroyo is feeling alot better talking to azcentral sports after the game: “I’m starting to feel a little better,” he said. “It makes a difference for me when I can get the ball up to 88-89 mph once in a while. It makes them respect some of my other stuff a bit more.” This isn’t the only good news believe it or not. While it took this team till May 2nd to reach 10 wins and there is still a huge hole to climb out of, if the Dbacks win toomorow its the team’s first 10 game stretch playing over .500 baseball. That is a start.

This game took place at Petco Park so naturally it was a pitchers duel. Padres starter Andrew Cashner took the tough luck loss only allowing a Aaron Hill two run single in the third. For once, two runs was all the Dbacks needed. The pitching performed and the offense did enough. The Dbacks need to win more of those type of games. This game wasn’t without some negatives. The Snakes did commit two errors continuing surprisingly poor  defense. That has to improve if this team is going to improve. The Snakes will go for a much needed series win today in game 2 of the series at 5:10pm. Brandon McCarthy is on the mound seeking his first victory. He will go up against former Diamondback ace Ian Kennedy.