Diamondbacks at Angels
The Arizona Diamondbacks avoided a third consecutive loss in the series opener and look to make it back-to-back wins when they conclude the two-game interleague set against the host Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday. Arizona owned a six-run lead in the fourth inning on Monday and withstood a comeback attempt to post a 7-4 victory.
Paul Goldschmidt belted a two-run homer in the first inning while Ketel Marte and Nick Ahmed also went deep for the Diamondbacks, who recorded their fourth straight win away from home as they kicked off a 10-game road trip. The blast by Goldschmidt, who has hit safely in 15 of 17 games this month, was his seventh in 11 contests and gave him 17 RBIs in his last 12 games. The Angels outhit Arizona 12-10 but still suffered their third straight loss and seventh in eight contests. Justin Upton and Albert Pujols hit back-to-back homers in the fourth inning, marking the first time the feat has been accomplished by Los Angeles this season.
TV: 10:07 p.m. ET, ESPN, FS Arizona, FS West (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Matt Koch (5-3, 4.09 ERA) vs. Angels RH Felix Pena (0-0, 10.13)
Koch bounced back from a rough outing in Colorado to defeat the New York Mets on Thursday, when he gave up two runs and three hits over six innings. The 27-year-old native of Iowa served up a pair of solo shots, however, making it six homers he's allowed in his last two turns. Koch, who is 1-1 in three career interleague games (one start), will be facing the Angels for the first time.
Pena will be making his first start of the season - and his major-league career - after surrendering three runs and five hits (two homers) over 2 2/3 innings in two relief outings. The 28-year-old Dominican has made nine starts and one appearance out of the bullpen for Triple-A Salt Lake this year, going 1-2 with a 3.51 ERA. Pena has yet to face Arizona in his career despite pitching in 36 contests with the Chicago Cubs over the previous two campaigns.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Angels activated Kole Calhoun (oblique) from the 10-day disabled list and optioned fellow OF Jabari Blash to Salt Lake.
2. Pujols' homer was the 626th of his career, pulling him within four of tying Ken Griffey Jr. for sixth place on the all-time list.
3. Arizona LHP Robbie Ray (oblique) is scheduled to throw 65 pitches in a rehab appearance for Triple-A Reno on Tuesday.