PHOENIX (AP) - Robbie Ray is on a roll, and the surprising Arizona Diamondbacks continue to take advantage of home field - even when the ball ventures into fowl territory.
Ray won his fourth straight game and recorded his fourth double-digit strikeout performance of the season, leading the Diamondbacks to a 10-2 rout of the San Diego Padres on Tuesday night.
Ray allowed the only earned run he’s given up in his last four starts, and opponents have a combined nine hits off him in those four games. His 11 strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings backed by some major run support gave Arizona the best home record in the majors at 22-8.
Even some unwelcome wildlife can throw off the Diamondbacks at home right now. Arizona star Paul Goldschmidt nearly scooped up a bird along with the baseball while fielding a bunt in the third inning. The small bird was sitting in the grass near the first-base line, and Goldschmidt momentarily covered it with his glove while scooping up Dinelson Lamet’s bunt. The bird flapped its wings, wriggled free and flew away while Goldschmidt threw to second for a fielder’s choice.
“I didn’t see it. I don’t know,” Goldschmidt said when asked about the play.
Chris Owings hit a three-run homer, Jake Lamb drove in four runs with a double and single, Gregor Blanco doubled twice and scored three runs and the Diamondbacks won their seventh straight home game, tying a season high.
Ray said he’s improved his fastball command by working quicker and delivering faster.
“I’m feeling pretty good. Got a good game plan with my catchers,” he said. “Just get the ball back and whatever they throw down, I feel comfortable with it.”
Owings’ second-inning home run, his career-high seventh of the season, gave the Diamondbacks a homer in 10 straight home games for the first time since 2011. Arizona scored five runs in the second inning, and has scored five or more in an inning for the seventh time at Chase Field this season.
Lamb became the first player in the majors to reach 50 RBIs.
“If he went out and gave up three runs in the first inning, it wouldn’t matter,” Lamb said of Ray. “As an offense we’re going to go out attack early and try to get some runs on the board. It obviously helps he’s throwing up zeroes every single inning, but we’re focused on what we’re doing at the plate.”
The Diamondbacks pounced all over Lamet quickly, scoring their first nine runs off him in the game’s first three innings. Lamet (2-1) lasted just three innings and gave up seven earned runs and nine hits with five walks.
Ray (6-3) had his scoreless innings streak stopped at 27 2/3 innings, the third-longest in club history. Hunter Renfroe’s solo shot in the fourth was the only run Ray allowed.
“To me there is more angles on righties now than there used to be. He used to work away to righties. Everything is coming in with aggression,” Padres manager Andy Green said of Ray.
BIRD IN HAND
TRAINER’S ROOM
Padres: RHP Jarred Cosart was placed on the 10-day DL with a strained right elbow, retroactive to June 5. … OF Travis Jankowski (broken right foot) was transferred to the 60-day DL, with Jose Pirela called up from Triple-A El Paso and starting Tuesday in left field. … LHP Christian Friedrich (elbow) is going to Double-A San Antonio for a rehab start this week.
Diamondbacks: C Chris Herrmann left the game with right hand soreness after striking out to end the fourth inning. He was replaced by Chris Iannetta. … OF Yasmany Tomas was placed on the 10-day DL with right groin tendinitis, and RHP Braden Shipley was optioned to Reno. Arizona called up OF Jeremy Hazelbaker and RHP Zack Godley. … OF A.J. Pollock is running and doing baseball activities as he eyes a return from a groin injury.
UP NEXT
Padres: RHP Luis Perdomo (0-2) is set to face Arizona on Wednesday. He has a 3.50 ERA away from home this season.
Diamondbacks: RHP Zack Greinke (7-3) is 9-2 with a 1.93 ERA in his career against the Padres.
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