D-backs Rally Late in Support of Zac Gallen's Gem

Zac Gallen pitched seven dominant innings and the Diamondbacks offense broke through to score in the 6th, 8th, and 9th innings to record a 5-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers. With the win the D-backs take the series two games to one and also the season series against the Brewers 4-2.

Gallen gave up a leadoff single on a sharp hopper up the middle to Christian Yelich in the bottom of the first, but then retired the next seven batters. After a one out double by Joey Wiemer, Gallen went on to get the six Brewers batters. With one out in the bottom of the fifth, D-backs killer Raimel Tapia hit a solo homer giving the Brewers a 1-0 lead.

He finished his outing very strong, recording eight more outs, allowing just a walk in the 7th, which was eliminated by a double play. His final line was 7 IP, 3H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 1 HR. He threw 91 pitches, 59 strikes. He recorded 10 flyouts to just three groundouts.

Gallen had tremendous support from his defense today especially in the outfield as the "No Fly Zone" was in full effect. Corbin Carroll made one of his signature feet-first sliding grabs on a pop up by Rowdy Tellez. Bob Brenly explained on the broadcast this signature move is intentional technique designed to make sure he does not suffer a shoulder or wrist injury diving head first, a common way for outfielders to get injured.

This has become Corbin Carroll’s signature sliding move when coming in on a shallow fly

pic.twitter.com/EO2PRK4bNI
— Jack Sommers (@shoewizard59) June 21, 2023

Alek Thomas had a leaping catch at the wall on a drive from Weimer, and also made a nice running catch in the left center gap. Geraldo Perdomo made a leaping catch of a liner that was destined to be a base hit as well. Gallen and the defense needed to be that good until the offense could figure out how to get on the board.

Brewers starter Julio Teheran came in having issued just four walks all year. Somehow he managed to pitch 5 scoreless innings despite issuing five walks and hit by pitch. He loaded the bases in the first inning, but got out of when Emmanuel Rivera tapped back to the mound. The D-backs didn't get a runner in scoring position again until the fifth when Jake McCarthy walked and stole second, but he was stranded there as Teheran allowed just two hits.

That all changed when Brewers manager Craig Counsell went to his bullpen. Pavin Smith drew a one out walk in the 6th against Elvis Peguero. Emmanuel Rivera hit a line drive base hit into the left center gap that Weimer bobbled twice, allowing Smith to come all the way around from first to score the tying run. Thomas followed with a base hit to drive in Rivera giving the D-backs a lead they would not relinquish.

The D-backs drew three walks, executed a double steal and had three steals in total in the 7th inning, but did not score. Back-to-back doubles in the 8th by Thomas and Moreno and an RBI base hit by Perdomo plated two more runs. Perdomo stole second and third, but was stranded there. To that point the D-backs had six steals, but none of those baserunner had scored. It was somewhat ironic then that it was Pavin Smith, who walked for the fourth time in the game stole second base and then scored on a Rivera base hit. The seven steals tied a franchise record.

Scott McGough worked the final two innings, striking out the first four hitters he faced. McGough has struck out 22 of the last 50 batters he's faced, 44%. He last allowed an earned run on May 12th. Since May 14th he's pitched in 14 games, thrown 18.1 innings with a 0.00 ERA, allowing 7 hits, 7 walks and striking out 25.

The D-backs improve to 45-30, and remain in first place by 3.0 games over the Giants who play the Padres later tonight. The Brewers drop to 38-36, 1.5 games behind the Reds. Arizona flies to Washington D.C. tonight to play a make up game tomorrow against he Nationals, first pitch 10:05 A.M. Arizona time, 1:05 P.M. EST. The starting pitchers will be Tommy Henry and Jake Irvin.