The Arizona Diamondbacks hope Michael Soroka continues his strong performance as they face the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday in the final game of a three-match series.
Soroka (4-0, 2.60 ERA) will pitch against right-hander Brandon Woodruff (2-1, 3.77). In Wednesday’s game, the Diamondbacks tied the series with a 6-2 win. Nolan Arenado hit a three-run homer, and Adrian Del Castillo, Ketel Marte, and Corbin Carroll each added solo homers.
Kevin Ginkel entered the game in the fifth inning and helped keep the Brewers from scoring. The bullpen then pitched four more scoreless innings, finishing with 13 consecutive outs.
Manager Torey Lovullo praised the bullpen, noting that they were key to the win despite Arenado’s big homer.
The Diamondbacks’ starting pitchers have struggled lately, with none going beyond five innings in the last nine games. Soroka was the last to go six or more innings, on April 17 against Toronto.
The Brewers led 2-0 early but couldn’t hold on after the Diamondbacks’ rally. Manager Pat Murphy said his team didn’t respond well when they fell behind and had inconsistent at-bats.
Soroka has pitched at least five innings in each of his five starts this season. He allowed one run in five innings last Thursday against the White Sox, but didn’t get a decision as the Diamondbacks lost 4-1.
In two career games against Milwaukee, Soroka is 1-1 with a 9.00 ERA, including one start earlier this year.
Diamondbacks’ Ildemaro Vargas extended his hitting streak to 25 games with a single Wednesday. His 22-game season-opening streak ties him for third longest in major league history since 1940. He’s batting .372 with six homers, six doubles, and 20 RBIs this season.
Arenado has been hot too, hitting .404 over his last 14 games with five homers and 15 RBIs.
Woodruff’s last start was a loss against Pittsburgh, where he allowed three runs in five innings. He is 3-1 with a 4.81 ERA in eight career games (seven starts) against Arizona.
Brewers’ Jake Bauers had an RBI double Wednesday, extending his hitting streak to seven games. He’s batting .345 over that span with four doubles and five RBIs.