Postgame Recap (7/29/17) – D-backs 7, Cardinals 1: Homers By Goldy, Martinez, Marte Fuel D-backs Win

Sometimes it looks so simple, winning, that is. On Saturday night, the Diamondbacks showed exactly what kind of team they are and what kind of team they will likely continue to be. Although, it didn’t have that shiny start you’d expect in a dominating win like this one.

Zack Greinke opened up the bottom of the 1st inning looking like anything but himself. He gave up a double and two singles, allowing the Cardinals to score a run, on his way to a 24-pitch first inning. If anything, it looked like it would be a night where we’d be lucky to get five or six innings out of the D-backs ace. He can be so misleading.

That first inning was a bait and switch if I’ve ever seen one. Greinke was absolutely dominant over the following six innings. He allowed only one hit and one walk, while striking out seven batters over the next six frames. If the Cardinals allowed themselves to believe they’d gotten to him early, they were quickly reminded just how good he really is.

For the D-backs offense, it was an efficient assault they leveled upon the Cardinals. Not an onslaught, but an almost surgical dismantling by the D-backs hitters.

In the 4th inning, Mike Leake started things off by hitting leadoff batter Jake Lamb. Paul Goldschmidt followed with a home run to make it 2-1. J.D. Martinez then hit a towering 466-foot home run to give the D-backs a 3-1 lead. The Snakes would leave two men on-base to end the inning, but the damage was done.

The top of the 8th inning would see Arizona send nine men to the plate. Ketel Marte lined a two-run home run to left field to open up a 5-1 lead. A.J. Pollock would drive in Jeff Mathis with a double and Paul Goldschmidt hit a sacrifice fly to score Brandon Drury.

Stats that matter

• Zack Greinke was filthy – 7.0 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 1 BB, 9 K
• Goldy is getting hot and has reached base safely in eight straight starts – 2-for-3, 1 R, 3 RBI, 1 BB, HR, Sac Fly
• Jeff Mathis continues to wield a hot bat, having reached base safely in 14 consecutive starts and no, that’s not a typo – 2-for-5, 1 R, 2B

Bottom line

This was a good win for the D-backs, albeit against a team they should beat. Zack Greinke was solid and the offense looked lethal at times. A win on Sunday would give the D-backs a series win as they head to Chicago on Tuesday to take on the resurgent Cubs.

On deck

The D-backs take on the Cardinals for the final game of their four-game set on Sunday at 11:15 am MT. Taijuan Walker will be on the mound for the D-backs.