Gallen Fans Eleven, Diamondbacks Blank Brewers

Zac Gallen pitches for the Diamondbacks in their 3–0 victory over the Brewers.

Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images

April 10, 2023

Diamondbacks 3, Brewers 0

PHOENIX, Apr. 10 — Right-hander Zac Gallen scattered three hits across seven scoreless innings, striking out 11 to lead the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 3–0 shutout victory over the Milwaukee Brewers Monday night.

The Diamondbacks got on the board in the bottom of the first after the Brewers went down 1–2–3. Second baseman Ketel Marte roped an opposite-field double to the right-field corner off Brewers southpaw Wade Miley. He scored on a follow-up single by designated hitter Josh Rojas.

Gallen got into a slight jam in the top of the second. Catcher William Contreras singled to left-center before third baseman Brian Anderson struck out looking. After center fielder Garrett Mitchell walked, a wild pitch advanced both runners. Designated hitter Luke Voit, the batter during the wild pitch, ultimately struck out, as did second baseman Brice Turang to retire the side.

The Brewers did not have another base runner until the fifth, but Gallen faced the minimum three anyway. Mitchell singled to right but was erased when Voit grounded into a 6–4–3 double play. Turang bounced an 11-hop (give or take) seeing-eye single to center, bringing up right fielder Joey Wiemer. On the third pitch, Turang bolted for second. Moreno gunned him down, the third runner of the season in as many tries, for the third out.

Walker Home Run Seals Deal for Diamondbacks, Seals Fate for Brewers

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The Diamondbacks made the score 3–0 in the bottom of the fifth. A lead-off walk by Marte set the table. After Rojas struck out looking and Gurriel flied to center, Walker cracked a deep drive to right. Wiemer leapt at the fence but missed the ball by inches, giving Walker his second home run of the year.

Bryse Wilson and Javy Guerra combined to pitch three innings of scoreless relief for the Brewers. Gallen did not give up another baserunner, finishing the seventh having allowed three hits and one walk. Diamondbacks relievers Scott McGough and Andrew Chafin picked up where Gallen left off, pitching a 1–2–3 eighth and ninth, respectively, to slam the door on the Brewers.

Postgame Reflections

“It was all about Zac Gallen,” manager Torey Lovullo beamed after the game. “What can you say? Seven unbelievable innings, 11 strikeouts, low pitch count…. It was just one of those days where everything was going for him. He was never out of any count — he could get himself right back into it with any pitch, any time. It was one of those typical Zac outings where you sit back and enjoy the ride. Those are fun games for everybody to watch.”

Gallen said his curveball started to “feel a little better,” so he relied on it “pretty heavily.” That was part of what he called a “good gameplan.” The gameplan was to use curveballs. Once he felt comfortable, he kept going. He said he’s big on “(reading) the game as the game goes on,” liking to see what the hitters give him.

The only inning where the Diamondbacks pitchers didn’t face the minimum three was the second. Manager Torey Lovullo loved that. He smiled, “It’s always nice to get a shutout. Always nice to play a quick game where your pitchers are in total control. Everything was moving in a very positive way. It seemed like our hitters were in the dugout a lot. And that impacts the game, impacts the opposition. It was a very nice feeling.”

Looking Ahead

Gallen (1–1) got the win for the Diamondbacks while Miley (1–1) took the loss for the Brewers. The Diamondbacks and Brewers face off again Tuesday evening in a battle of right-handers. Merrill Kelly (0–1, 3.86 ERA) will start for the Diamondbacks against Corbin Burnes (0–1, 9.64 ERA) of the Brewers. First pitch will be at 6:40 pm Arizona Time.