Zac Gallen gave up three hits in seven scoreless innings to help the Arizona Diamondbacks record a 3-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday night at Phoenix.
Gallen (7-2) struck out eight and walked two while winning for the third time in his past four starts. Ketel Marte stroked a two-run single in the eighth inning as the Diamondbacks won for the fourth time in their past six games.
Arizona’s first run scored when Alek Thomas grounded into a double play in the bottom of the sixth.
Joe Mantiply struck out two in a perfect eighth and Ian Kennedy worked the ninth for his seventh save.
Tucupita Marcano drew a one-out walk against Kennedy before Kevin Newman and Bryan Reynolds both flied out to end the game.
The Pirates have lost three of their past four games. Pittsburgh hitters struck out 11 times in the opener of the four-game series.
Arizona’s Geraldo Perdomo led off the sixth with a hard ground ball that was bobbled by Pirates third baseman Michael Chavis. Manny Banuelos (0-1) attempted to pick off Perdomo, but the latter took off for second and stole it without a throw as Pittsburgh’s Bligh Madris dropped Banuelos’ toss to first.
Josh Rojas then dropped down a bunt single to put runners on first and third with no outs. Thomas followed by grounding into a double play as Perdomo scored from third.
The Pirates threatened in the seventh after Reynolds drew a one-out walk. Ben Gamel followed with a single that dropped just in front of Arizona center fielder Daulton Varsho, who scrambled to get the ball and threw out Reynolds at third as Gamel advanced to second on the throw.
Chavis then grounded to third to end the inning in Pittsburgh’s lone at-bat with a runner in scoring position.
Arizona tacked on two runs in the eighth against Yohan Ramirez. Seth Beer led off with a single to left, Carson Kelly drew a walk and Perdomo reached on a bunt single to load the bases.
Rojas and Thomas both hit into fielder’s choices at home before Marte drilled a two-run single to center to make it a three-run margin.
Pirates starter Tyler Beede gave up two hits over 3 2/3 scoreless innings. He struck out two and walked one.
–Field Level Media
