The Arizona Diamondbacks are no longer a losing team after Monday's strong defensive performance.
The Arizona Diamondbacks prevailed with a 1-0 win against the Texas Rangers on Monday in a game in which offense was difficult to come by for both teams.
The win marks the Diamondbacks’ third in a row. How did they do it?
Soroka’s Statement
When it came to production on the mound, Arizona right-hander Michael Soroka took the lead for his team.
In Soroka’s eighth start of the season, he struck out five batters and only allowed three hits and one walk through 6 ⅓ shutout innings.
It was a bounceback performance for Soroka after he allowed 17 hits, nine earned runs and four walks over his previous two starts that resulted in two-straight losing decisions after starting the season 4-0.
One is Just Enough
The Diamondbacks would end up striking first to start the game in the top of the first inning, thanks to doubles by Corbin Carroll and Geraldo Perdomo to tack on their first and only run of the game.
Luckily for Arizona, it would be enough to get across the finish line.
Perdomo would notch a single later in the game, and Nolan Arenado would add two more hits, but the Diamondbacks could not score the rest of the game. They would finish the evening going 6-for-33 at the plate, but the one run that the offense was able to offer would be enough for the defense to work with.
Relievers Stepping Up
After Soroka’s strong evening ended in the bottom of the seventh inning, the bullpen was able to carry the Diamondbacks the rest of the way.
Left-hander Brandyn Garcia was the first to take the mound after Soroka, and he was able to provide a strikeout while not allowing any hits or walks in his brief appearance. Afterward, right-hander Taylor Clarke stepped onto the hill.
Clarke efficiently got through an inning of work while only allowing one hit. Then, veteran reliever Paul Sewald closed the game with a strikeout in one inning pitched. By the end of the game, Arizona’s arms combined for seven strikeouts while allowing just four hits and one walk.
Monday's win brought the Diamondbacks to 20-20 through their first 40 games, and they now sit in third place in the National League West Division, with the Los Angeles Dodgers (24-16) and the San Diego Padres (24-16) battling for first place.
Arizona will face the Rangers again for the second contest in their three-game set on Tuesday at 5:05 p.m. MST.
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