Snake Pit Sim Season: 5/2 - Pitching Gets It Done

Zac Gallen had a strong bounce back outing against the Cubs. The right-hander scattered four hits and a walk across 6 ¹⁄₃ innings of work . The Cubs struck out eight times and never made it beyond first base. Gallen’s fastball was the difference maker in this game. The Cubs hitters simply could not square it up as Gallen moved it in and out painting both sides of the plate.

Gallen was followed by Yoan López after the starter reached 98 pitches on the evening. López had an easy go of things, striking out three while retiring all five batters he faced. He then turned the ball over to Archie Bradley for the ninth inning.

Archie Bradley remains perfect on the season, notching his tenth save. While he did walk one, he also struck out two, making the outing look easy.

As for the Diamondbacks’ offense, they got things started early. David Peralta continued to be hot, slugging a 397-foot opposite field home run to left with one out in the bottom of the first. The Snakes scored again in the third when Peralta started the frame off with a walk, and then moved to third on an Eduardo Escobar Double to left. Peralta eventually scored on a slow grounder to second by Carson Kelly. Finally, in the seventh, Tim Locastro’s speed came in handy, allowing him to finish up on second base to start things off when Albert Almora Jr misplayed a ball to center. He then took third on a groundout to second by Kole Calhoun and scored on a single to right by Escobar.

On the day, the Diamondbacks had eight hits and four walks. The only hard hit ball though, was Peralta’s first inning home run. Doubles by Ildemaro Vargas and Escobar were both of the sort that found room to roll. Today’s game came down to the little things, and the Diamondbacks did those things better.

Final Score: CHC 0 - AZ 3

The player of the game honors went to Arizona’s Zac Gallen for giving his team 19 outs of shutout baseball. The same two teams are at it again tomorrow with the Cubs sending Tyler Chatwood (3-2, 5.19) to the mound. Arizona will respond with Luke Weaver (2-4, 2.81).

The Diamondbacks are now 18-15, third in the NL West behind the Dodgers and Giants.