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Snap Judgments: MLB Game of the Week (Cardinals at D-backs; 07.03.18)

Sammantha-Maria Herbaugh/ALOST

 

akoiki-passport2 – by Adesina O. Koiki
A Lot of Sports Talk editor-in-chief

 

PHOENIX — More than at any point in the 2018 season, the Arizona Diamondbacks were thankful that Zack Greinke’s turn in the rotation came up. And, once again, the D-backs ace stepped up to put an end to one of the poorest stretches of play in, otherwise, has been a promising season for Arizona.

Greinke pitched 6.2 innings and allowed just two runs while fellow Arizona star Paul Goldschmidt hit a go-ahead three-run home run in the fifth inning as the Diamondbacks ended a four-game losing streak with a 4-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on the eve of Independence Day.

“Obviously, a much-needed win, after five consecutive losses,” said Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo, who must have thought the four-game losing streak the team came in with felt even longer than that.

That barren run is a thing of the past now after Greinke recovered from allowing two runs in the top of the second inning, keeping St. Louis scoreless after that. He only struck out four batters in the contest, his lowest punch-out total since an Apr. 19 win against San Francisco, but the team was able to pick up their fourth consecutive win in games Greinke has started.

All of the runs the Diamondbacks would come in the decisive fifth inning as Arizona put up a three-spot with one swing after being down 2-1. Diamondbacks shortstop Nick Ahmed started the inning with a double, but then Jeff Mathis and Greinke were retired subsequently which threatened any potential rally. Cardinals starter Jake Flaherty then walked Jon Jay to put runners on first and third. Goldschmidt, the next batter, sent a 2-2 pitch the other way and over the right-field wall to give Arizona a 4-2 lead.

Arizona’s bullpen combined to work a scoreless 2.1 innings, with Brad Boxberger finishing things off in the ninth to earn his 20th save of the season.

*Editor’s note: Above the byline is the photo gallery from Tuesday evening’s game, with all photos taken by Mako Photography founder and photographer Sammantha-Maria Herbaugh. After clicking on the first photo to enlarge the picture, make sure to press the left and right arrow buttons to scroll through the rest of the pictures. There are 25 pictures in total.

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