PHOENIX — Zac Gallen became the first Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher to complete seven innings this season, as he stifled the New York Mets in Tuesday’s 5-1 win.
Gallen made his second start against New York in a row, and he followed six innings of one-run ball in Queens last week with seven innings and one earned run at Chase Field.
The right-hander retired 12 of his last 13 batters faced, allowing only two hits all game — both singles.
“That’s kind of shocking,” Gallen said of being the first D-back to finish seven innings. “I felt like we’ve had some really good outings. Hopefully it’s just a sign of good things to come. This staff, I think we’re kind of coming into our own … we need to set the tone.”
The only real trouble he ran into was in the third inning, which was extended after a successful Mets challenge. Outfielder Tyrone Taylor beat out what was initially called an inning-ending double play, as the call was reversed.
Gallen lost the strike zone, walking three straight batters, including Pete Alonso with the bases loaded to plate a run. He called it an out-of-body experience, saying he was not trying to pitch around anyone.
Still, Gallen struck out the next batter, Starling Marte, to avoid a crooked number, one of his six punch outs.
Gallen and Eduardo Rodriguez are the only D-backs starters this season to have recorded outs in the seventh inning. The former threw 6.2 scoreless innings at Yankee Stadium last month, so in three starts against New York teams, he has thrown 19.2 innings with two earned runs and 27 strikeouts.
Tuesday was his first outing of seven or more innings and one earned run or fewer since his complete-game shutout at Wrigley Field in September 2023.
This has been an inconsistent start to the season overall for Gallen (4.37 ERA), but in back-to-back starts he’s performed up to an ace standard.
“From the first pitch until his his 101st pitch, he was in total control,” manager Torey Lovullo said. “You’re looking for 21 outs from your starters all the time.”
“ That’s what we all expect from him when he takes the mound,” catcher Jose Herrera added. “He was able to command his fastball and his breaking ball tonight.”
Kevin Ginkel threw a scoreless eighth inning, and Shelby Miller stranded a pair of runners to cap the win in the ninth.
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. heating up?
Mets starter David Peterson blanked the Diamondbacks through three innings with four strikeouts, as it appeared another left-handed starter had their number. Arizona then rallied for two runs in the fourth.
Randal Grichuk — on a 111 mph ball that skipped through third baseman Mark Vientos’ legs — and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. doubled, and a pair of runs scored on ground-ball outs.
Gurriel then blasted a two-run shot in the sixth, and Josh Naylor hit a sacrifice fly in the seventh.
Gurriel collected his second three-hit game of the season, recording multiple extra-base hits for the second time in four games. After a miserable start to the year, Gurriel is hitting .305 over his last 15 contests with six doubles and three home runs.
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. rocked this 2-run homer 108 MPH 🚀 pic.twitter.com/DLVdySrAH8
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“The last few days I have felt like I’m getting into a rhythm,” Gurriel said through Spanish interpreter Alex Arpiza. “Just keep that confidence level knowing the season is long and having faith things will work out well.”
The D-backs finished with eight hits, two of which came from Herrera, who has put together back-to-back multi-hit games to raise his batting average from .121 to .200.
Peterson finished with six innings and four earned runs after he allowed one run in five innings against the D-backs last week.
He is the first left-handed starter the Diamondbacks have charged a loss to since Carlos Rodon of the Yankees on April 2.
Gabriel Moreno day-to-day
The Diamondbacks (19-17) scratched catcher Gabriel Moreno before first pitch. After the game, Lovullo said Moreno was dealing with a sore left side stemming from a play at the plate on Monday.
“He landed on his left side, so he was just a little sore,” Lovullo said. “I made the decision that it was the best thing to keep him off his feet. Give him a day to recuperate. He’ll be day-to-day.”
Lovullo said Moreno was available to sub in during Tuesday’s game but that it’s most likely going to be Herrera back behind the plate on Wednesday.
Herrera caught Gallen at Citi Field last week, so the two were able to pick up where they left off.
