Braves at Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks were one out away from their fourth loss in five games before coming up with some impressive heroics in the series opener. Arizona aims for its third consecutive victory when it hosts the Atlanta Braves on Friday for the second contest of their four-game set.
David Peralta belted his sixth home run of the season with two outs in the ninth inning on Thursday, forging a tie before Ketel Marte's RBI single in the 10th gave the Diamondbacks their second 3-2 victory in two days. Like Peralta, Wilmer Flores finished with two hits and an RBI, marking the third consecutive contest in which he did so. Josh Donaldson homered in the top of the ninth for the Braves, who suffered their fourth straight loss after beginning their 10-game road trip with three wins in a row. Ozzie Albies is riding a four-game hitting streak after recording an RBI double on Thursday.
TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, FS South (Atlanta), FS Arizona
PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Julio Teheran (2-4, 4.63 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Zack Greinke (5-1, 3.42)
Teheran lost three straight starts before his effort at Miami on Sunday, when he allowed just two hits with two walks and four strikeouts over six scoreless innings but settled for a no-decision. The 28-year-old Colombian has not won since limiting the New York Mets to one run and six hits in six frames on April 14. Teheran has enjoyed success against Arizona during his career, going 4-1 with a 2.58 ERA in nine starts.
Greinke did not factor in the decision at Colorado on Sunday after giving up three runs and six hits over six innings. The amount of runs equaled the total that the 35-year-old Floridian allowed over 27 2/3 frames in his previous four turns - all victories. Like Teheran, Greinke has pitched well against his upcoming opponent as he is 4-1 with a 2.91 ERA in 10 career starts versus Atlanta.
WALK-OFFS
1. Diamondbacks C Carson Kelly has drawn at least one walk in each of his last four games and gone 5-for-9 over his last three contests with an at-bat.
2. Atlanta LHP Max Fried, who left his outing on Tuesday after being hit on his throwing hand by a line drive, threw a side session on Thursday and is likely to make his next start in the series finale.
3. Arizona recalled Jon Duplantier, who worked a scoreless inning on Thursday en roue to his first major-league victory, from Triple-A Reno and optioned fellow RH Taylor Clarke to the Aces.