Diamondbacks 5, Guardians 1
PHOENIX, June 16 — The Arizona Diamondbacks continued their seven-game homestand with the Cleveland Guardians visiting Chase Field. Former Diamondbacks pitching prospect Touki Toussaint went up against ace Zac Gallen. Triston McKenzie was originally the scheduled starter for Cleveland but was scratched prior to the first pitch with what was announced as right elbow discomfort.
The Arizona Diamondbacks got back to winning, and in front of 27,203 fans, they won with timely hitting and aggressive base running in a 5-1 win over the Guardians. They scored runs in the first, second, sixth, and seventh innings to give Zac Gallen his eighth win on the season.
Start of the Game
Gallen gave up a leadoff hit to Steven Kwan but then settled in to get Amed Rosario to ground into a double play before Jose Ramirez lined out to Ketel Marte.
Bottom of the first, after Pavin Smith grounded out, Marte walked Corbin Carroll was out on strikes for the second out. Christian Walker hit double number 18 on the year to center field and Marte scored. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. grounded out to end the inning. Diamondbacks 1, Guardians 0.
Diamondbacks Add Another Run
After a three up-three down top of the second, Jake McCarthy singled to left field then stole second. Gabriel Moreno walked. Josh Rojas sacrificed McCarthy to third and Moreno to second. Geraldo Perdomo hit a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring McCarthy. Diamondbacks 2, Guardians 0.
Jose Ramirez
After Gallen got the first two hitters out to start the top of the fourth, Jose Ramirez hit his eleventh home run of the season, this one to deep right field. The exit velocity was 106.7mph, distance was 426 ft, and the launch angle was 28 degrees. Josh Naylor was out on strikes to end the inning. Diamondbacks 2, Guardians 1.
Guardians Change Pitchers
In the bottom of the fourth, after Toussaint got two outs, he walked the next three batters and was replaced with Xzavion Curry. Toussaint ended up pitching 3 2/3 innings with five walks on 82 pitches.
Diamondbacks add more Runs
In the bottom of the sixth, after Rojas was out on strikes, Perdomo doubled on a grounder to right. Smith singled on a line drive to left, scoring Perdomo. Marte singled to center, with Smith stopping at second, followed by Carroll, who brought Smith home with an opposite-field double to left field.
After an intentional pass to Walker, the Guardians replaced Curry with Enyel De Los Santos. After Gurriel Jr. went down on strikes, McCarthy hit an inning-ending popup. Diamondbacks 4, Guardians 1.
Bottom of Seventh
In the bottom of the seventh, the Diamondbacks added another run. Rojas singled and Smith walked. Marte grounded a single to center. Rojas scored as Smith went to third. With two outs and chants of MVP, Carroll was called out on strikes to the discontent of the hometown fans. Diamondbacks 5, Guardians 1.
Andrew Chafin/Scott McGough
Zac Gallen’s’ night was done with seven innings pitched, six hits, and one earned run on 95 pitches. Andrew Chafin came in to pitch the top of the eighth and gave up a single but got out of the inning with only that hit.
In the top of the ninth, Scott McGough came in to pitch. The first batter he faced was Josh Naylor, looking to extend his hitting streak. He lined to McGough, and the streak ended. Josh Bell popped out before Andres Gimenez struck out swinging to end the game. Diamondbacks 5, Guardians 1.
Diamondbacks Manager
Manager Torey Lovullo addressed the media after the game and said, “We talked in pregame how we have our stopper, and that is what we need.” He added, “We made adjustments, and we expect that.” Lovullo also pointed out, “Offensively, Carroll, Marte, McCarthy, and Walker each had two hits.” Furthermore, the last-minute pitching switch didn’t faze the team. “The guys adapted to the pitching change before the start of the game,” Lovullo said.
Guardians Manager
Terry Francona mentioned he was happy with the way Toussaint pitched. “His stuff was good, and you can see why we signed him.” Francona acknowledged the fatigue but still saw a positive. “Yes, he was tired, but his curveball was good. But his fastball is what probably led to his many pitches.” On Gallen, “I saw an article that his velocity was down. Not sure about that, as he looked fine tonight.”
Diamondbacks Notes
On Friday, in partnership with the Players Alliance, the Diamondbacks welcomed 150 Black Pro baseball players, promoting diversity in baseball and creating opportunities for black talent. … Manager Torey Lovullo played for Cleveland in 1998 and served as a MiLB Manager in their system from 2002 to 2009. … Gabriel Moreno has thrown out 14 of 29 base stealers. … The Diamondbacks are 16–3 in games when they do not allow a home run. … Corbin Carroll is 16-for-38 with three doubles, two triples, and five home runs over the past 10 games.
Guardians Notes
The Guardians are 16–5 in games when they score at least five runs and have played the most one-run games in the majors. … Jose Ramirez is 16-for-45 with three doubles and five home runs over the last 11 games. … Mike Zunino was designated for assignment, and catcher Bo Naylor was called up. Naylor is the Guardians’ No. 3 prospect and will join the team Saturday, according to Terry Francona. … Pitcher Cody Morris was optioned to Triple-A, and Richie Palacios was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals. … Zunino, who signed a one-year, $6 million contract over the offseason, was designated for assignment after hitting .177 with three home runs, 11 RBI, and 61 strikeouts.
Looking Ahead
The will host the Guardians in Game Two Saturday night. The first pitch is at 7:10pm on Bally Sports Arizona. Tommy Henry (3–1, 4.86 ERA) goes up against Shane Bieber (5–3, 3.29 ERA). Father’s Day Sunday will see Zach Davies (1–2, 5.46 ERA) against Tanner Bibee (2–2, 3.91 ERA). Game time will be 1:10pm, and it will also air on Bally Sports Arizona.
