Phoenix, AZ — Chris Sale outperformed Zac Gallen with 5 1/3 strong innings, and Adam Duvall’s three-run homer helped the Atlanta Braves secure a 6-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday night, extending their winning streak to four games.
Duvall’s three-run blast in the sixth inning, a 441-foot shot into the left field seats, put the Braves ahead 5-0 and ended Gallen’s night on a sour note.
“We’re getting some timely hits,” Duvall said. “Tonight, we had runners on base a lot, so we were definitely putting pressure on them. Hopefully, we can keep that going.”
It was a positive moment for Duvall, who entered the game hitting just .184 with seven homers this season.
Sale (12-3) had a shaky start, walking Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Gabriel Moreno to load the bases with two outs in the first inning. However, he managed to get Jake McCarthy to ground out and escape the inning unscathed.
The left-hander settled down over the next four innings before facing challenges again in the sixth, giving up a single to Moreno and an RBI triple to McCarthy. Sale, who leads MLB with 12 wins, allowed two runs on five hits and three walks while striking out nine.
“Tonight was a grind,” Sale said. “Once I got out of that first inning, I took a deep breath, refocused, and got back to it.”
At 35 years old, Sale has bounced back from multiple injury-riddled seasons to become one of the league’s top pitchers. He is slated to represent the Braves in the NL All-Star team next week.
Sale is scheduled to pitch for Atlanta again on Sunday, likely making him unavailable for the All-Star Game on July 16. With this being his eighth All-Star appearance, Sale is not concerned about missing the game.
“The most important thing is this team and winning games for this team,” Sale said. “We have our eyes on the prize, and that’s the most important thing.”
Gallen (6-5) struggled, giving up five runs (four earned) over 5 1/3 innings. He allowed seven hits and one walk while striking out four.
“Zac had really good stuff, but he got clipped for a couple of runs and that extended his pitch count,” said D-backs manager Torey Lovullo.
The Braves took a 2-0 lead in the second inning. Sean Murphy’s RBI groundout scored Marcell Ozuna for the first run, and a defensive error by All-Star second baseman Ketel Marte allowed Eddie Rosario to score on a dropped line drive from Orlando Arcia.
In the seventh inning, Eli White added an RBI triple as a pinch-hitter, giving the Braves a 6-2 lead. Duvall, Ozuna, and Jarred Kelenic each had two hits, and Jesse Chavez contributed 2 2/3 scoreless innings of relief.
UP NEXT:
The Braves will give RHP Charlie Morton (5-5, 3.96 ERA) on Wednesday. The D-backs will put RHP Slade Cecconi (2-6, 6.10 ERA) on the hill.
