Nelson's Gem Supported by Timely Hitting in D-backs Win

Ryne Nelson pitched a gem tonight holding the Braves to two runs in seven innings, leading the D-backs to a 5-3 victory.

Nelson was in control from the start, retiring the side in order in the first. He gave up a two-out solo homer to Marcel Ozuna in the second inning. He then retired 11 in a row before giving up a one out triple to Michael Harris in the 6th. He stranded Harris however by getting Ronald Acuna Jr to ground out to third and Ozzie Albies to pop out to short.

Austin Riley tagged Nelson for a solo homer to lead off the 7th, but an unfazed Nelson retired the next three batters in order to close out his outing. His final line was 7 IP, 3 hits, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 2 HR. His record is now 6-5 and his ERA is 4.82 He needed just 84 pitches to navigate the 21 outs. Amazingly, he threw 32 breaking and off speed pitches, 25 of which were strikes.

It was the third start in his last five that Nelson lasted seven or more innings. Notably, his road numbers are much better than his home numbers. He has a home ERA of 8.08 in nine starts, but now just a 2.39 ERA in 11 starts on the road.

The offense produced two-out RBI knocks on four different occasions tonight. Christian Walker doubled to lead off the second inning and two outs later Gabriel Moreno drove him in with a single for the game's first run. After the Braves had tied it up on Ozuna's homer, the Dbacks came right back with two runs in the third. Jake McCarthy singled with one out. After a line out by Ketel Marte, Braves starter Charlie Morton issued two straight two out walks. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. made him pay with a two-run double to left.

Nick Ahmed had a two out RBI double in the 6th inning driving in Evan Longoria for the D-backs fourth run, knocking Morton out of the game. Then in the eight he did it again, driving in Walker from second base on an infield hit that tricked aways from Orlando Arcia in the hole at short. Walker Was on base four times tonight, adding two walks to his base hits, and scored two runs.

There was some drama in the ninth inning for Kevin Ginkel, getting the save chance for the second straight night. Acuna doubled to lead off the inning and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Ginkel got two fly outs, but with the left handed Matt Olson batting and the infield shifted to the right, Acuna started dancing up and down the line away from the unprotected third base. Ginkel took offense to this for some reason and started walking towards Acuna when he got the ball back.

The confrontation itself came to nothing, but Ginkel was clearly distracted. He ended up walking Olson, and then a mound visit from Brent Strom settled everyone down. Ginkel threw a wild pitch scoring Acuna but then induced Sean Murphy to ground out to Evan Longoria ending the game. It was Ginkel's second save of the year.

The D-backs have unexpectedly won the series against the Braves but will be going for the sweep tomorrow morning at 9:20 A.M. Arizona time. All Stars Zac Gallen and Spencer Strider will face off in a terrific matchup of two of the best starters in the National League.