Bumgarner leads D-backs to sweep of Phils

For the most part, this season has not been a lot of fun for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

After a 14-12 April, Arizona went 8-48 over May and June, ending its postseason hopes. Combined with injuries to key players, there simply was not a lot to cheer about at Chase Field.

That changed a bit in July, but that was nothing compared to the way this past week has gone. The D-backs put together a homestand filled with wins and an historic achievement, bringing life to the ballpark and some much-needed relief to a roster beaten down by all the losing.

The D-backs capped things off Thursday afternoon with a 6-2 victory over the Phillies, as Madison Bumgarner led the way with eight dominant innings. Arizona completed a three-game sweep of Philadelphia to finish a 6-1 homestand, which also included winning three of four against San Diego this past weekend.

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"When you put together this type of a homestand, you're doing a lot right," D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said. "And I'm happy for these guys, because they've been grinding. That's a word that's used a lot in baseball, in sports, but we've been tested and we're coming out the other end. And it's a lot of fun to watch right now. We're in a real good spot."

At 41-81, the D-backs no longer have the worst record in baseball -- the 38-82 Orioles now own that distinction -- and they are playing better baseball, proven by the series wins against the Padres and Phillies, two teams competing for postseason berths.

"It's encouraging," Arizona first baseman Christian Walker said. "It's exciting, it's fun. A lot of good baseball, a lot of fun moments. This is the standard that we've wanted to hold ourselves to all year, and it's great to be a part of things clicking and finally just executing the way we know we're capable of."

The D-backs' homestand started with a 12-run outburst in last Thursday's win over the Padres, which was followed by Daulton Varsho hitting a walk-off homer last Friday. Then, this past Saturday, left-hander Tyler Gilbert etched his name in the record books by throwing the third no-hitter in D-backs history -- their first at Chase Field -- in his first MLB start.

On Thursday, Bumgarner finished off the homestand by allowing one run on three hits, striking out five and walking one. The veteran left-hander yielded a double to Jean Segura to lead off the game and didn't give up another hit until Ronald Torreyes doubled to lead off the eighth. Bumgarner also contributed an RBI single during Arizona's five-run seventh.

Bumgarner outdueled Philadelphia right-hander Zack Wheeler, who summed up the Phillies' thoughts on getting swept by the D-backs.

"We’re frustrated, obviously,” Wheeler said. “We need to play better. Pitching. Hitting. Everybody needs to play a little better, get back on a good roll. This is a team that you don’t want to get swept by. It’s just true.”

In seven starts since being activated off the injured list, Bumgarner has been on top of his game, posting a 1.93 ERA over that stretch.

"I felt good," Bumgarner said. "Everything was working again today, we kept that same feel that we've had going for a while, so I was pretty pleased with it. Got a lot of quick outs, weak contact kind of stuff. It was a faster paced game, and it was pretty good overall."

The D-backs now go back on the road for a 10-game trip with stops in Denver (three games), Pittsburgh (three) and Philadelphia (four). There are no off-days, so it's a grueling stretch. But Arizona is moving forward with positive momentum.

"Colorado, I believe they're coming off a sweep," Walker said. "So we're looking for some competitive baseball. We end up finishing up back in Philly, so I'm sure they're going to be looking for some revenge. But at the same time, we're just worried about the D-backs right now. Just keep our foot on the gas pedal and execute one pitch at a time. We're playing good baseball and having some fun."