Mets at Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks have been swinging hot bats for the past week and hope to continue the trend when they host the New York Mets on Saturday for the third contest of their four-game series. Arizona has won seven of its last eight contests, scoring at least six runs in each of the victories - including Friday's 7-3 triumph.
Daniel Descalso homered and drove in three runs in the win, giving him eight RBIs over his last four games. Paul Goldschmidt and Jon Jay each recorded three hits on Friday, with the former extending his hitting streak to 11 games in the process. New York is looking to end a dismal stretch during which it has lost four straight contests and 12 of its last 13. Dominic Smith doubled and homered in Friday's setback to match the total of hits he recorded over his first five games of the year for the Mets, who have scored fewer than four runs in 11 consecutive contests.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), FS Arizona
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets LH Steven Matz (2-4, 3.53 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks LH Patrick Corbin (6-2, 3.21)
Matz will be making his first start since last Saturday as he was pushed back two days due to a blister on his left middle finger. The 27-year-old New Yorker did not factor in the decision against the New York Yankees last time out, when he yielded three runs on five hits - two homers - and four walks in six innings. Matz has surrendered six runs over 10 frames in two career turns versus Arizona - both no-decisions, including one on May 19 in which he gave up four runs and six hits in four innings.
Corbin was fortunate to come away with a no-decision against Pittsburgh on Monday after surrendering five runs on seven hits and three walks in 5 1/3 innings. The 28-year-old, who also hails from the Empire State, has gone 0-2 with a 6.17 ERA in four turns at home since defeating San Diego on April 22. Corbin is 1-3 with a 3.75 ERA in eight career games (seven starts) against the Mets, including a no-decision at New York on May 19 in which he yielded two runs on four hits and four walks over 5 1/3 frames.
WALK-OFFS
1. Goldschmidt, who has gone deep in each of the first two games of the series, is 24-for-46 with six doubles, a triple, six homers and 14 RBIs during his hitting streak.
2. New York activated INF Wilmer Flores (back), who delivered an RBI double on Friday, from the 10-day disabled list and optioned 2B Ty Kelly to Triple-A Las Vegas.
3. Arizona OF David Peralta is riding a seven-game hitting streak during which he has gone 14-for-28 with four homers and nine RBIs.