Jordan Montgomery’s quality start sets tone for Diamondbacks win over the Marlins

“Once I got to two strikes, I just really tried to make it about making good decisions,” said Walker, who finished the game 2-for-4. “It’s not like I’m not still trying to drive the ball at the ballpark, or split a gap in that situation, but maybe tone down the effort level a bit and just work on putting the ball on the barrel. For me, if I put the ball on the barrel, it’s going to be hit hard and I’m going to trust that for sure.”

Arizona tacked on another run in the second, starting with another bottom-of-the-order rally. Eugenio Suárez lined a single to right and Tucker Barnhart walked after a seven-pitch battle. Kevin Newman advanced both runners into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt, setting the stage for Corbin Carroll to make an impact on the scoreboard. Carroll drove a fly ball to the warning track in left field to advance the runners and stretch the lead to two runs. That would be it from a scoring standpoint, as the Diamondbacks managed just three baserunners for the rest of the game and struck out six times from the third inning onward.

The Marlins started to make some noise against Montgomery in the sixth. Jake Burger led off the frame with a double to the right-center gap to bring the potential tying run to the plate. Following a groundout, Jazz Chisholm Jr. smoked a ball off the center field wall. However, Chisholm spent too much time admiring his work and got off to a late start from the plate. That was a critical blunder by the Marlins center fielder, as the Diamondbacks successfully executed a 9-4-5 relay to erase him at third. It was a mistake further magnified when the following batter singled up the middle, as Montgomery was able to record the final out with the lead intact.

“Happy with the game, defense played great, Tuck called a great game behind me and bats came alive and gave me a lead,” said Montgomery. “I found some barrels that last inning, but pretty happy with how I threw.”

The reliable trio of Ryan Thompson, Joe Mantiply, and Paul Sewald shut the door, combining for three scoreless innings. The key moment for the Diamondbacks bullpen came in the eighth inning. After Thompson allowed a one-out double to put the potential tying run in scoring position, Mantiply struck out Chisholm and Tim Anderson to snuff out the Marlins’ last gasp in the game. Sewald recorded a clean ninth inning to secure his fourth save of the season, with a strikeout.

“They’re great, three shutout guys,” said Montgomery. “Joe coming in that inning and punching his two guys was incredible. They did a good job.”

The Diamondbacks and Marlins will play the rubber match of this series Sunday afternoon. Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo announced after the game that left-hander Blake Walston (0-0, 4.91 ERA) will start while left-hander Ryan Weathers (2-4, 3.49 ERA) will go for Miami. First pitch at Chase Field is scheduled for 1:10 PM MST.