D-backs secure first series win in 3-plus weeks

PHOENIX -- It had been some time since the D-backs won like they did Tuesday.
"Or [won] back-to-back games," as Daniel Descalso pointed out after the game, referring to the club notching consecutive victories for the first time since May 5-6.
Tuesday's 5-2 win over the Reds snapped a string of five series losses for the D-backs, who showed a bit of everything.
First off, they only had four hits. The Reds had seven. But it didn't matter.
"We didn't have a lot of hits, but we had meaningful hits," D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said.

The first was Descalso's two-run homer in the first inning to give Arizona a 2-1 lead. The next was Ketel Marte's RBI double that scored Jarrod Dyson in the third. Both ignited the dugout.
The D-backs have struggled to find those big hits this month. The past two days, they've had no issue doing so -- especially after the Reds score. They've looked like the team from April that won nine straight series to start the season.
"That's a good sign for our offense that the last couple days. They've scored and we've answered right back, take the momentum right back from them," Descalso said.
Those runs were enough for Zack Godley, who earned his first win in over a month. Godley, who allowed six earned runs vs. the Brewers in his last start, surrendered just two on Tuesday.
He struck out seven and walked two, settling in after a long first inning where he struggled with command.
"It's a continued thing," Godley said. "Throughout the whole year, trying to learn from each outing and continue to get better."

Once Godley exited, Yoshihisa Hirano, Archie Bradley and Brad Boxberger each pitched a scoreless inning to deny the Reds any chance of a comeback.
"I can't remember the last time Brad Boxberger was on the mound for a save," Lovullo said. "It's been some time."
Entering the series, the D-backs had lost 15 of 18 and had fallen out of first place in the National League West. They were searching for ways to claw back and return to form. They have a chance to sweep the series on Wednesday before the Marlins -- who are in last place in the NL East -- come to town for a three-game set.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Hirano entered to begin the seventh inning with the D-backs leading, 5-2. Hirano allowed a leadoff single to Billy Hamilton, but struck out the next batter before his defense turned a nice 5-6-3 double play to end the inning. The D-backs also denied the Reds with double plays in the fifth and sixth innings.
"A couple of big double plays that I can remember where we weren't in a traditional position, but guys squared up the ball. We worked hard to get to second base so we could make that pivot and guys executed very, very well to get us out of some jams defensively," Lovullo said.

YOU GOTTA SEE THIS
On Marte's RBI double, Dyson, who went from first to home, trusted his instincts. So much so that he blew through a stop sign from third-base coach Tony Perezchica and scored standing up.
"When I saw TP put up his hands, obviously I thought it was the right call instinctually," Lovullo said. "Tony was doing his best, but you don't realize how much space Jarrod covers in such a short amount of time. Before I knew it, he was by Tony and at home plate. Surprised us all, and he was moving. It's one of his great gifts."
Dyson said he spoke with the coaches and there was no issue.
"That ball was down the line, I didn't think the right fielder was going to get there in time," Dyson said. "I was already at full throttle and it's hard to stop me like that. It's not going to happen all the time, it just depends on where the ball is hit."

HE SAID IT
"It's a cat and mouse game. I've been doing it for quite a while. I take a lot of pride in it." -- Dyson, on his speed getting in the pitcher's head when he's on base
UP NEXT
The D-backs will send Patrick Corbin to the mound for Wednesday's 12:40 p.m. MST series finale against the Reds. In his last start, Corbin allowed one run on four hits over seven innings vs. the A's to help Arizona snap a seven-game skid. Cincinnati will counter with right-hander Sal Romano, who had a 3.83 ERA on May 14, but has given up 18 earned runs, 22 hits and 12 walks with 13 strikeouts in 12 2/3 innings over three starts since.