The Arizona Diamondbacks didn’t waste any time breaking this game open.
Ketel Marte and Alex Avila each hit two-run homers and the Diamondbacks scored eight runs in the first three innings to power their way to a 9-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night.
We just did a good job of being aggressive in the zone, Arizona center fielder Jon Jay said. You saw guys put some good barrels on balls and we were ready to hit right from the start.
Avila finished with three RBI as he also doubled home a run in the ninth. The veteran catcher entered the game hitting .109.
Chad Kuhl (5-5) lasted just two-plus innings and was lifted following Avila’s homer. Kuhl was tagged for eight runs and eight hits after allowing three earned runs or less in seven of his previous eight starts.
I don’t think balls were coming out (of his hand) as they have for whatever that reason may be, Kuhl said. I just felt like tonight was a little bit different. They hammered balls over the plate. You just try your best to move on from this one.
Kuhl was supposed to pitch Wednesday night against Milwaukee but the game was rained out after a delay of slightly more than two hours. Lovullo thought that might have worked in the Diamondbacks’ favor.
The left-hander with the funky delivery struck out seven and walked one as the resurgent Dodgers (39-35) improved to 23-9 since May 17 — the best mark in the majors during that stretch.
I thought he threw the ball really well. So he’s back, for me, manager Dave Roberts said . He seems very confident now.
Jose Bautista hit his first homer for the Mets, a two-run shot in the sixth.
It’s nice to get on the board, he said. Hopefully a couple more coming.
An error by second baseman Max Muncy gave New York a chance in the eighth, but with runners at the corners Scott Alexander got Bautista to ground into an inning-ending double play on the next pitch.
Muncy made the turn after a smooth play by shortstop Enrique Hernandez.
It’ll help him sleep a lot better tonight, Roberts said.