Pirates at Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks look to build on an impressive road trip Friday as they return home to begin a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates, who have lost six of their last nine. The Diamondbacks went 7-3 on their just-completed road trip against and stand above .500 for the first time this season.
First baseman John Jaso is batting .429 during his 11-game hitting streak for the Pirates, who moved back to .500 with Thursday’s 11-1 rout of San Diego. Pittsburgh also has received a welcome boost from catcher Francisco Cervelli, who owns a five-game hitting streak and has reached base safely in 13 of his first 14 games. Arizona begins the weekend riding high after completing a four-game sweep of the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park and appears to have found their leadoff hitter in second baseman Jean Segura, who is experiencing a rebirth while hitting .338 with three home runs, 10 RBI and three stolen bases in his first season with the club. “These guys give me the trust to be the player I want to be,” Segura told FoxSports.com. “They give me the confidence to run when I want, when I feel comfortable. They trust that I can be the guy I was three years ago.”
TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, ROOT (Pittsburgh), FSN Arizona
PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates LH Jonathon Niese (2-0, 3.50 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks LH Patrick Corbin (1-1, 2.75)
Niese is seeking his third straight victory after tossing seven shutout innings against Milwaukee on Saturday. “He works quick, gets early contact, throws a lot of strikes, keeps you on your toes,” shortstop Jordy Mercer told reporters. “Three in a row could get hit to you really easily. It’s fun playing behind him.” The 29-year-old is 3-3 with a 5.93 ERA in seven career starts against Arizona, including 1-2 with a 6.26 ERA in four outings at Chase Field.
Corbin, who has been Arizona’s most consistent starter early this season, took another step forward Sunday as he held San Diego to three runs (one earned) over 6 2/3 innings. Corbin threw 105 pitches, marking the first time he had thrown above 100 pitches since 2013. The 26-year-old New Yorker, who missed the entire 2014 season because of Tommy John surgery, allowed two runs over six frames in his only previous start against the Pirates on Aug. 7, 2012.
WALK-OFFS
1. Pittsburgh has gone 9-3 in its last 12 games at Chase Field, including 3-0 last season.
2. Segura is 15-for-40 during his nine-game hitting streak against the Pirates.
3. The Pirates were 27-6 against NL West opponents last season.