Diamondbacks, Corbin go for sweep against Padres Thursday

Iannetta blast puts D-Backs on top

In yet another example of one of manager Torey Lovullo’s decisions working out for the Diamondbacks, Chris Iannetta launched a go-ahead, two-run home run in the bottom of the fifth inning on Thursday in his first day hitting in the No. 2 spot in the lineup.

Iannetta followed a two-out bunt single by Gregor Blanco with his eighth homer of the year, putting the Diamondbacks ahead 4-3 in the fifth against Padres left-hander Clayton Richard. Iannetta got a 2-0 change-up from Richard and hit it into the left-field seats.

Iannetta was hitting second because Lovullo wanted another capable, right-handed bat high in the lineup against Richard.

Padres own early lead over D-Backs, Corbin

The Padres scored twice in the first inning and added another run in the third, and they took a 3-2 lead over the Diamondbacks into the middle innings on Thursday afternoon.

The first five Padres hitters of the day reached base as Corbin’s first-inning issues continued. Austin Hedges grounded a two-run single up the middle to give the Padres an early 2-0 lead.

The runs were the 17th and 18th Corbin has allowed in the first inning in his 13th start of the season.

The Diamondbacks scored twice in the bottom of the first off lefty Clayton Richard, getting three consecutive two-out hits from Paul Goldschmidt (single), Chris Owings (double) and Daniel Descalso (single) to tie the game.

Two innings later, Hunter Renfroe doubled home Wil Myers to give the Padres their third run.

Iannetta hitting second as Lovullo stacks righties

The Diamondbacks had an unexpected No. 2 hitter in their lineup for Thursday’s series finale against the Padres: catcher Chris Iannetta.

Manager Torey Lovullo said he did not expect it to be a lineup he sticks with in upcoming games, but he thought it made sense given both whom the Diamondbacks were facing in lefty Clayton Richard and the players who were out of the lineup.

“I wanted to pile some real good, right-handed hitters atop of one another,” Lovullo said. “I bounced around the idea for several days. It just made sense to me give C.I. a chance to get several at-bats hitting in front of (Paul Goldschmidt).”

Iannetta has destroyed left-handed pitching this season, going 11 for 30 (.367) with one double and three homers. Richard, meanwhile, has not fared that well against righties, allowing a .311/.356/.495 line in 222 at-bats against them this year.

Right-handed hitters Iannetta, Goldschmidt and Chris Owings were hitting in the Nos. 2 through 4 spots in the lineup.

McCain blames D-Backs for his performance in D.C. Thursday

Sen. John McCain confused viewers Thursday with a distracted and listless line of questioning of former FBI Director James Comey, azcentral’s Dan Nowicki reported.

McCain’s interrogation came late in the dramatic and widely watched open Senate hearing in which Comey offered his first public testimony since Trump abruptly axed him on May 9.

In a written statement after the hearing, McCain clarified his remarks, acknowledging that, based on the Twitter reactions, his questions “my line of questioning today went over people’s heads.”

Making light, he added: “Maybe going forward I shouldn’t stay up late watching the Diamondbacks night games.”

The Diamondbacks played a 3-hour 48-minute game Wednesday night. Thursday, the team’s social-media squad offered this in response.

D-Backs place Greinke on paternity leave

The Diamondbacks placed right-hander Zack Greinke on the paternity list on Thursday morning, replacing him with right-hander Silvino Bracho, who gives the club a fresh arm for the bullpen.

Greinke’s wife, Emily, is expecting the couple’s second child. Players can remain on the paternity list for up to three days, so Greinke’s absence should have no bearing on his ability to be ready for his next start, scheduled for Tuesday in Detroit.

Bracho is on his fourth tour of duty with the Diamondbacks this season, having been called up and optioned back down three times already.

He did not appear in a game during his most recent stint with the team last weekend in Miami. He’s made only three appearances in the majors this season, giving up six runs (five earned) in 2 1/3 innings.

In 17 2/3 innings with Triple-A Reno, Bracho has been dominant, striking out 30 while walking just six and posting a 1.53 ERA.

Thursday’s game

When: 12:40 p.m.

Where: Chase Field (Roof hotline: 602-462-6262).

Pitchers: Diamondbacks LHP Patrick Corbin (4-6, 5.43) vs. Padres LHP Clayton Richard (3-6, 4.33).

TV/Radio: FSAZ/KTAR-AM (620), KHOV-FM (105.1).

Corbin’s first-inning issues – and his struggles from the past month overall – continued on Friday in Miami, where he gave up six runs (five earned) in five innings in a loss to the Marlins. … Corbin has given up 31 earned runs in his past 31 innings dating to May 6. He’s served up 11 home runs in that stretch after having allowed just three homers in his first 35 1/3 innings. … He has twice thrown well against the Padres this season, giving up a combined four earned runs in 13 innings (2.77 ERA) with two walks and 17 strikeouts. … Richard will be facing the Diamondbacks for the fourth time. He threw well against them twice at Petco Park, including giving up one run in a complete game on May 21. But the results were different on April 25 at Chase Field, giving up six runs on eight hits in 3 2/3 innings. … In two starts since the complete game, he’s given up six earned runs in 11 2/3 innings. … Right-handed hitters have a .851 OPS against him while lefties, despite hitting .294, have just a .666 OPS due to a lack of extra-base hits off him.

Thursday’s lineup

MLB RBI leader Jake Lamb helps power D-Backs to win

Jake Lamb’s three RBIs Wednesday night brought his season total to 53, surpassing the Rockies’ Mark Reynolds for the most in the major leagues.

“He’s just driving in big runs,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. “I just hope the league takes notice of that. I hope the league sees that, recognizes that and gives him a chance to be an All-Star. He’s deserving of that.”

Lamb’s production lulled for a few weeks in late April and early May, a stretch in which he racked up strikeouts and struggled against both righties and lefties.

But since May 12, he’s hitting .337 with eight home runs in 92 at-bats. He has 29 RBIs in that stretch, which is 22 percent of the Diamondbacks’ total runs.

“I made adjustments that time; there might be something different (later in the season),” Lamb said. “But that’s the goal is to shorten those periods and try to get back to feeling good at the plate as soon as possible.”

More on this story: Diamondbacks top Padres 7-4

Walker hopes return to the mound is imminent

Diamondbacks right-hander Taijuan Walker threw 64 pitches in an extended spring training game on Wednesday morning, then said later he believes he’s ready to come off the disabled list and return to the rotation.

Walker has been out since May 19 due to a blister on his right index finger. He has appeared to be close to a return on a couple of occasions only to have to give the blister additional time to heal.

He pitched on Wednesday with the blister covered in tape.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo doesn’t think Walker needs to pitch in a game environment with the blister uncovered before returning.

More on this story: D-Backs, Padres news and notes from Wednesday night

Coming up

Friday: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Randall Delgado (1-1, 3.24) vs. Brewers RHP Zach Davies (6-3, 4.69).

Saturday: At Chase Field, 7:10 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Zack Godley (1-1, 2.39) vs. Brewers RHP Junior Guerra (1-0, 1.83).

Sunday: At Chase Field, 1:10 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Robbie Ray (6-3, 2.85) vs. Brewers RHP Chase Anderson (5-1, 2.94).