Kelly throws 7 robust innings, Diamondbacks beat Braves 3-2 for sixth straight win

Big-time baseball is again at Chase Field and the immediately surging Arizona Diamondbacks delivered of their first check.

Merrill Kelly threw seven robust innings, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. ripped a two-run double and the D-backs gained their season-high sixth sport in a row by beating the Atlanta Braves 3-2 on Friday night time.

It was the opener of a collection between two of the highest groups within the National League. It’s no shock the Braves are amongst that group, however the emergence of the Diamondbacks – who misplaced 110 video games simply two seasons in the past – has caught some off guard.

Arizona is now 12 video games over .500 for the primary time since 2018 and on its first six-game profitable streak since 2020.

“I think there was a little extra zoom in everybody’s behind today, knowing the Braves were in here,” D-backs supervisor Torey Lovullo mentioned. “We knew what was happening right now and our guys stood tall in the course of the ring.

“I’m proud of that.”

PHOTOS: Kelly throws 7 robust innings, Diamondbacks beat Braves 3-2 for sixth straight win

Miguel Castro labored a high-wire ninth for his sixth save in seven possibilities.

The Braves have misplaced 5 of their previous seven. They threatened within the ninth when Sean Murphy led off the inning with an infield single. Travis D’Arnaud adopted with a protracted fly ball to left that was caught by a leaping Gurriel close to the wall for the primary out.

Eddie Rosario, who homered twice, adopted with a single by means of the infield that put runners on first and third, however Ozzie Albies hit a shallow fly ball to left for the second out. Then – with greater than 27,000 followers screaming – Orlando Arcia hit a comebacker to the mound that Castro snagged and tossed to first to finish the sport.

“We know we can finish games, we have confidence to finish games,” Kelly mentioned. ”The earlier couple years, we might have someway discovered a strategy to lose that sport.”

Rosario hit solo homers in each the second and seventh innings, however that was just about it for the crew’s offense. It was his first multi-homer sport of the season.

The D-backs took a 2-0 lead within the first on Gurriel’s two-out, two-run double into the left subject nook that scored Geraldo Perdomo and Corbin Carroll. The Braves reduce that lead in half within the second on Rosario’s first homer that landed within the swimming pool behind the right-center wall.

Arizona pushed forward 3-1 within the third on Christian Walker’s double that scored Carroll.

Kelly (7-3) had his newest in a string of spectacular begins and now has a 2.80 ERA this season. The right-hander gave up two runs and 5 hits, walked three and struck out eight. He threw 100 pitches.

“Games like that are why we do this,” Kelly mentioned. “It was really good energy against a really good team.”

Atlanta starter Charlie Morton (5-6) was practically nearly as good, giving up three runs on six hits over seven innings. He walked three and struck out 9.

“Charlie threw the ball really well tonight,” Braves supervisor Brian Snitker mentioned. “We’re just having a hard time generating any consistent offense.”

TOO FAST

Atlanta’s Ronald Acuña Jr. got here in with 23 stolen bases, which is second within the massive leagues behind Oakland’s Esteury Ruiz.

The speedy outfielder seemed like he had No. 24 within the first inning, beating the throw from Arizona’s Gabriel Moreno, however Acuña’s momentum carried his hand previous the bag whereas Arizona’s Nick Ahmed stored the tag utilized.

Acuña was initially dominated protected earlier than Arizona challenged the decision and it was overturned. Moreno has caught 56% of the runners who’ve tried to steal on him this yr – the perfect mark within the massive leagues.

“It was a big, big momentum change in the first,” Kelly mentioned.

UP NEXT

The three-game collection continues Saturday night time. The D-backs will ship RHP Ryne Nelson (2-2, 5.37 ERA) to the mound, whereas the Braves will counter with RHP Spencer Strider (5-2, 2.97)