The Arizona Diamondbacks have won all four games this season against Atlanta, and their ability to hit against the Braves’ bullpen is a big reason why.
When Arizona swept a three-game series in Atlanta in April, the Diamondbacks pounded Atlanta relievers for 11 runs on 14 hits and 10 walks in 10 innings.
It was more of the same Thursday night, when the D-backs rallied with a run in the ninth and another in the 10th, earning a 3-2 walk-off win on Ketel Marte’s bloop single over a drawn-in infield.
The four-game series continues Friday night in Phoenix, when Arizona will send out ace Zack Greinke (5-1, 3.42 ERA) against Julio Teheran (2-4, 4.63). But no matter what happens with those two, the Diamondbacks will have confidence in the late innings.
David Peralta tied Thursday night’s game at 2 with a solo home run off Luke Jackson with two outs in the ninth, and then the Diamondbacks got to A.J. Minter in the 10th with a walk and two singles.
“This was one of those emotional-push victories,” Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said after Thursday night’s game.
“You’re down to your final out and you have your best player step up to the plate and do something special. Special players do special things at special times. And David came through in a huge way.”
Arizona has won back-to-back extra-inning games, having won at the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2 in 13 innings on Wednesday. Closer Greg Holland gave up single runs in both of those games, but Lovullo said he is not worried.
“We feel very good about his outings,” Lovullo said. “We know they have not been perfect, but minimal concern from me.”
The Braves have lost four in a row to drop to 3-4 on a season-long 10-game road trip.
Jackson had not allowed a run in 14 consecutive appearances before giving up the home run to Peralta on a hanging breaking pitch.
“Threw a bad pitch. Wish I could take it back,” he said. “Unfortunately, it cost us huge. Can’t dwell on it. On to the next one. We’re going to get out there and win some games.”
That won’t be easy against Greinke, the veteran right-hander who hasn’t lost since the season opener. Arizona is 6-2 in his starts.
Greinke is 4-1 with a 2.91 ERA in 10 career starts against the Braves. Atlanta slugger Freddie Freeman hasn’t had much success against Greinke, hitting .136 with no home runs and no RBIs in 22 at-bats.
Teheran is 4-1 with a 2.58 ERA in nine starts against the D-backs. He can draw on last season’s success, when he went 1-0 in two starts, allowing two runs (one earned) in 12 1/3 innings.
Atlanta is nearing the end of a stretch in which it will play 20 games in 20 days. The Braves will have an off day after finishing the four-game series at Arizona on Sunday.
“This is what we prepare for. You know what you’re getting into before the season starts,” said Braves catcher Brian McCann. “Every team has to go through it. You have to be ready for the challenge.”
Atlanta shortstop Dansby Swanson went 0-for-3 with a walk Thursday night to end his career-high 11-game hitting streak.