Diamondbacks’ Robbie Ray pitches around defensive miscue

The Diamondbacks and Pirates continue their series from Pittsburgh.

Can Arizona end a three-game skid?

Follow our updates from the game.

Fuentes loses fly ball but Ray avoids damage

Diamondbacks center fielder Rey Fuentes appeared to lose a routine fly ball in the lights, giving Josh Harrison a leadoff double in the bottom of the fourth, but left-hander Robbie Ray managed to work out of trouble and keep the game scoreless.

Fuentes charged in on Harrison’s fly ball before stopping and realizing the ball was perhaps 50 feet behind him. David Peralta was alertly backing up on the play and kept Harrison to a leadoff double.

Ray then got Josh Bell to ground out before striking out David Freese and Francisco Cervelli in succession to end the inning.

Ray is cruising so far, giving up just two hits and no walks with six strikeouts. But Pirates right-hander Ivan Nova has been even better.

Nova retired each of the first 12 batters he faced with two strikeouts.

Sim game goes smoothly for Taijuan Walker

PITTSBURGH – Taijuan Walker threw the equivalent of three innings in a simulated game on Tuesday afternoon, coming away from the outing feeling good about the state of the blister on his right index finger. If all goes well in the next few days, Walker is expected to return from the disabled list to start Sunday in Miami.

Walker said he began the outing with his blister covered in tape, which he said felt weird. He said it felt even more weird when he removed the tape for the final two innings.

“I was just all over the place because I’ve been throwing with it covered,” Walker said. “… (But) then I started dialing it in and everything started to feel good. The ball was coming out really good.”

Still, neither Walker nor manager Torey Lovullo were ready to declare him good for Sunday.

“We’ll see how it responds tomorrow,” Walker said, “but as of right now I feel pretty good.”

Walker said the change-up had been an issue before he went on the DL, but he was encouraged by how it felt on Tuesday.

The Diamondbacks training staff has been employing a host of remedies to treat the blister, including soaking it in hot and cold water; using a laser to stimulate tissue recovery; and using skin tougheners.

“I’ve been getting advice from everyone – guys who have had it before, pitchers and stuff – and just been doing everything pretty much,” Walker said.

Walker has missed the past two starts because of the blister, which he had been pitching with for several outings prior to landing on the DL.

Delgado to start on Saturday vs. Marlins

After a second consecutive solid outing as a starting pitcher, right-hander Randall Delgado will get a third. He’ll face the Marlins on Saturday, manager Torey Lovullo said.

Delgado gave up one run in 5 2/3 innings on Monday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. In two starts, he has allowed three runs (two earned) in 9 2/3 innings, walking one and striking out 11.

“He’s developed a lot of confidence and he’s gotten a lot of big outs in a lot of crucial moments,” Lovullo said. “And he’s stepped into the starting role and didn’t change a thing. That’s a key. That’s a thing we ask these guys to do is not change what’s working.”

D-Backs hard to find in All-Star voting

The Diamondbacks might be one of the better teams in the National League through the season’s first two months, but their players have received scant attention in All-Star voting, at least so far.

In the first voting update released by Major League Baseball on Tuesday, the Diamondbacks had just two players appear among the leading vote-getters, with first baseman Paul Goldschmidt and shortstop Chris Owings both ranking fourth at their respective positions.

Goldschmidt (205,828) was fourth behind the Cubs’ Anthony Rizzo (452,620), the Nationals’ Ryan Zimmerman (359,055) and the Braves’ Freddie Freeman (286,389).

Owings, meanwhile, had 219,287 votes – more than Goldschmidt – but was behind the Dodgers’ Corey Seager (399,347), the Cubs’ Addison Russell (379,640) and the Reds’ Zack Cozart (264,516).

“I think the fact that Goldy’s fourth and C.O. is fourth is startling,” Lovullo said. “I think within our clubhouse we know how valuable they are and I know the rest of the league recognizes how valuable they are. I just wish they get that recognition from the fans and hopefully they will.”

PREGAME READING: Curveball a key to Robbie Ray’s recent success

Lineups

Here’s the Diamondbacks’ lineup:

And here’s the Pirates’ lineup:

MONDAY RECAP: Walkoff loss ‘weird’ for Archie Bradley

Tuesday’s game

Diamondbacks at Pirates

When: 4:05 p.m.

Where: PNC Park, Pittsburgh.

Pitchers: Diamondbacks LHP Robbie Ray (4-3, 3.45) vs. Pirates RHP Ivan Nova (5-3, 2.83).

TV/Radio: FSAZ/KMVP-FM (98.7), KHOV-FM (105.1).

Ray has dominated in his past two starts, tossing a combined 14 2/3 scoreless innings with three walks and 15 strikeouts against the Padres and Brewers. … Ray is averaging 11.1 strikeouts and 4.4 walks per nine innings. Opponents are hitting just .202 against him. … Ray did not throw well the last time he faced the Pirates, giving up four runs in four innings, allowing six hits and three walks earlier this month. … Nova pitched into the ninth inning of his most recent start, giving up four runs in 8 1/3 innings of a win over the Braves. … He has thrown at least six innings in each of his first 10 starts. … He gave up three runs in six innings against the Diamondbacks on May 14, winning his first matchup with Ray.

MLB POWER RANKINGS: D-Backs in NL West race

Coming up

Wednesday: At Pittsburgh, 9:35 a.m., Diamondbacks RHP Zack Godley (1-1, 1.99) vs. Pirates RHP Chad Kuhl (1-5, 6.29).

Thursday: At Miami, 4:10 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Zack Greinke (6-3, 3.24) vs. Marlins RHP Vance Worley (0-2, 5.00).

Friday: At Miami, 4:10 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Patrick Corbin (4-5, 5.14) vs. Marlins RHP Jose Urena (3-2, 3.14).