The Arizona Diamondbacks checked a lot of boxes in an 8-0 victory over the Colorado Rockies in the first contest of a three-game series on Friday in Phoenix.
They recorded a shutout, benefited from aggressive base running, and enjoyed contributions up and down the order.
Arizona will look to build off that on Saturday when it sends right-hander Zac Gallen (3-5, 4.59 ERA) to the mound in an attempt to claim the series. Gallen has been a Rockies' nemesis, going 7-1 with a 2.59 ERA against them in 15 career starts.
After peaking at five games over .500 on April 17, the Diamondbacks are 12-14 while playing through a meaty portion of their schedule.
"I'm looking for this team to get on a run," manager Torey Lovullo said. "A 10-game run can win a lot of baseball games. And I want to protect home-field advantage. Playing .500 baseball at home is not anything that we talk about. We want to go out and win every game we play when we are at home. I want to protect home field a little bit better than we are."
The Diamondbacks are 12-12 at home entering Saturday's game against the Rockies, who are scheduled to start right-hander German Marquez (1-6, 8.27 ERA).
The Rockies are 7-37, the worst start in the majors in the modern era (since 1901).
Lovullo said his team's mission isn't complicated.
"Play the consistent type of D-back baseball that we have spoiled ourselves with here," he said.
"Doing all those little things that add up, not trying to do too much, or press, or force. We fundamentally are getting better at doing the things that I expect us to. That's what makes us who we are. When it doesn't happen, it costs us games. We need to make sure we tighten that down. We will. We're going to get there."
Both teams made several roster moves before Friday's game. The D-backs placed left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez on the injured list with shoulder inflammation, clearing the way for Ryne Nelson to join the rotation.
Nelson is expected to start Tuesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is stretched out, having thrown 56 pitches behind Rodriguez in an 8-7 victory at San Francisco on Wednesday.
The Rockies activated shortstop Ezequiel Tovar and infielders Tyler Freeman and Aaron Schunk from the injured list Friday, and also gave left-under Carson Palmquist his first major league start. Tovar had one of the Rockies' two hits Friday, but Palmquist gave up five runs and six hits over four innings.
"Who wouldn't be excited to get a Gold Glove shortstop back and solidify the middle of the infield and get his bat in the lineup," Rockies interim manager Warren Schaeffer said of Tovar. "Just his presence. Everything he does makes us a better team."
Marquez enters after his longest start since 2022, a 9-3 victory over San Diego last Sunday, the day Bud Black was fired as Colorado's manager. Marquez gave up one run and three hits in seven innings with two strikeouts. It was the first time he went seven innings since Sept. 16, 2022, his last healthy season.
Marquez is 6-6 with a 4.38 ERA in 23 appearances (22 starts) against the D-backs, his most starts against any opponent. He has not faced them since 2022. Ketel Marte is 12-for-42 with two homers and eight RBIs versus Marquez.
Colorado's Ryan McMahon is 10-for-36 with three doubles and five RBIs against Gallen.
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