Postgame Recap (7/24/17) – D-backs 10, Braves 2: Greinke Masterful, J.D. Hammers 3-Run Bomb
It was a near perfect game for the D-backs.
The Diamondbacks had their way with the Atlanta Braves tonight, thoroughly beating them in every phase of the game. Zack Greinke was as good as it gets. Pitching eight nearly-flawless innings, surrendering only five hits and two runs. The only runs he gave up came when Sean Rodriguez guessed right and hit an 86 mph slider for a home run. It was a good pitch but Rodriguez got ahold of it.
On offense, the D-backs were the perfect compliment to Greinke’s dominating performance. They started the scoring when they put three runs on the board in the bottom of the 2nd inning. It began with a double by none other than Greinke to score Daniel Descalso, who led off the inning with a walk. A.J. Pollock, who’s been red-hot lately, doubled to score Jeff Mathis and Descalso. The D-backs were up 3-0.
In the bottom of the 4th inning, Jeff Mathis hit his second single of the game to lead off the inning. Greinke laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt and David Peralta promptly singled to drive in Mathis. Dickey then walked both Jake Lamb and Paul Goldschmidt before being pulled from the game, ending his night.
Pollock led off the bottom of the 6th inning with another double, his second of the game. After Lamb walked, Goldschmidt doubled to score Pollock and advance Lamb to third. Next up, J.D. Martinez. And he didn’t disappoint, crushing an 82 mph slider to deep center for a 3-run homer.
In the bottom of the 7th inning, A.J. Pollock came through yet again, roping a 2-run home run to right center field. That made the score 10-2 in favor of the Diamondbacks.
Stats that matter
- Zack Greinke was in a zone – 8.0 IP, 2 R, 5 H, 0 BB, 6 K, HR
- A.J. Pollock is completely locked in – 3-for-5, 2 R, 4 RBI, 2 2B, HR
- J.D. Martinez rocked that ball – 1-for-5, 1 R, 3 RBI, HR
- Jeff Mathis had a great night at the plate – 3-for-4, 2 R, 1 BB
Bottom line
This game was just a preview of what this team is capable of now that J.D. Martinez is wearing Sedona Red. It’s got the potential to be a real fun second half.
On deck
Game two of the three-game set is for Tuesday at 6:40 pm MT at Chase Field. New daddy, Taijuan Walker (6-4, 3.61 ERA) leads the D-backs against Mike Foltynewicz (8-5, 3.87 ERA).
