• Diamondbacks introduce J.D. Martinez at Chase Field

    Diamondbacks introduce J.D. Martinez at Chase Field

  • Torey Lovullo on Corbin's outing, series victory vs. Reds

    Torey Lovullo on Corbin’s outing, series victory vs. Reds

  • Patrick Corbin on his strong start vs. Reds

    Patrick Corbin on his strong start vs. Reds

  • J.D. Martinez talks about getting hit by a pitch vs. Reds

    J.D. Martinez talks about getting hit by a pitch vs. Reds

  • Manager Torey Lovullo on loss to Reds, Martinez's injury

    Manager Torey Lovullo on loss to Reds, Martinez’s injury

  • Zack Greinke on his outing vs. Reds

    Zack Greinke on his outing vs. Reds

  • Shot Clock: D-Backs seize moment with trade

    Shot Clock: D-Backs seize moment with trade

  • Torey Lovullo on D-Backs' win over Reds, acquisition of J.D. Martinez

    Torey Lovullo on D-Backs’ win over Reds, acquisition of J.D. Martinez

  • Shot Clock: Robbie Ray brings intensity to mound

    Shot Clock: Robbie Ray brings intensity to mound

  • Shot Clock: D-Backs fear Cubs; ASU's hot seat

    Shot Clock: D-Backs fear Cubs; ASU’s hot seat

  • Torey Lovullo after D-Backs' fifth straight loss

    Torey Lovullo after D-Backs’ fifth straight loss

  • Zack Godley on rough start vs. Braves

    Zack Godley on rough start vs. Braves

  • Patrick Corbin goes five innings vs. Braves

    Patrick Corbin goes five innings vs. Braves

  • Randall Delgado on Braves' four-run, go-ahead rally

    Randall Delgado on Braves’ four-run, go-ahead rally

  • Torey Lovullo after D-Backs lose again vs. Braves

    Torey Lovullo after D-Backs lose again vs. Braves

  • Torey Lovullo talks D-Backs' strategy in loss to Braves

    Torey Lovullo talks D-Backs’ strategy in loss to Braves

  • Taijuan Walker on his night vs. Braves

    Taijuan Walker on his night vs. Braves

  • Shot Clock: D-Backs' trade deadline ideas

    Shot Clock: D-Backs’ trade deadline ideas

  • Shot Clock: Playoffs for D-Backs and Suns?

    Shot Clock: Playoffs for D-Backs and Suns?

  • Diamondbacks fall 2-1 to Reds

    Diamondbacks fall 2-1 to Reds

  • Lovullo on the Diamondbacks' loss to the Reds

    Lovullo on the Diamondbacks’ loss to the Reds

  • Diamondbacks hold off Reds for 6-3 win

    Diamondbacks hold off Reds for 6-3 win

  • Shot Clock: 1 more chance for D-Backs' Rodney?

    Shot Clock: 1 more chance for D-Backs’ Rodney?

  • Fernando Rodney after blown save vs. Dodgers

    Fernando Rodney after blown save vs. Dodgers

  • Torey Lovullo after Dodgers sweep D-Backs in LA

    Torey Lovullo after Dodgers sweep D-Backs in LA

  • Robbie Ray on his outing, tough loss vs. Dodgers

    Robbie Ray on his outing, tough loss vs. Dodgers

  • Torey Lovullo on D-Backs' second consecutive loss in LA

    Torey Lovullo on D-Backs’ second consecutive loss in LA

  • Zack Godley talks about his outing vs. Dodgers.

    Zack Godley talks about his outing vs. Dodgers.

  • Gregor Blanco after D-Backs' loss to Dodgers

    Gregor Blanco after D-Backs’ loss to Dodgers

  • Shot Clock: How should Suns, D-Backs prioritize improvement?

    Shot Clock: How should Suns, D-Backs prioritize improvement?

  • Chris Owings on Kershaw's night, D-Backs' late push

    Chris Owings on Kershaw’s night, D-Backs’ late push

  • Torey Lovullo on D-Backs' late push in loss vs. Dodgers

    Torey Lovullo on D-Backs’ late push in loss vs. Dodgers

  • Dodgers vs D-Backs preview

    Dodgers vs D-Backs preview

  • Lovullo, Marte, Walker discuss D-Backs' walk-off win

    Lovullo, Marte, Walker discuss D-Backs’ walk-off win

  • Four Diamondbacks react to making NL All-Star team

    Four Diamondbacks react to making NL All-Star team

  • Archie Bradley on D-Backs' win over Rockies

    Archie Bradley on D-Backs’ win over Rockies

  • Zack Greinke on his effective outing vs. Rockies

    Zack Greinke on his effective outing vs. Rockies

  • Robbie Ray on his outing in loss vs. Rockies

    Robbie Ray on his outing in loss vs. Rockies

  • Chris Owings homers twice in loss to Rockies

    Chris Owings homers twice in loss to Rockies

  • Torey Lovullo talks loss to Cardinals

    Torey Lovullo talks loss to Cardinals

  • D-Backs GM on Chase Field humidor being pushed back

    D-Backs GM on Chase Field humidor being pushed back

  • Lovullo, Godley reflect on D-Backs' close loss

    Lovullo, Godley reflect on D-Backs’ close loss

  • Tony La Russa reflects on his baseball life

    Tony La Russa reflects on his baseball life

  • Torey Lovullo shares Tomas, Pollock, Ahmed injury updates

    Torey Lovullo shares Tomas, Pollock, Ahmed injury updates

  • Chris Herrmann walks it off for D-Backs

    Chris Herrmann walks it off for D-Backs

  • D-Backs' Torey Lovullo: "They fight until the final out"

    D-Backs’ Torey Lovullo: “They fight until the final out”

  • Chris Herrmann on first career leadoff home run

    Chris Herrmann on first career leadoff home run

  • Zack Greinke on outing vs. Phillies

    Zack Greinke on outing vs. Phillies

  • Torey Lovullo on D-Backs' offensive execution in win

    Torey Lovullo on D-Backs’ offensive execution in win

  • Diamondbacks-Phillies recap - June 26

    Diamondbacks-Phillies recap – June 26

  • Diamondbacks walk off Philies in extra innings

    Diamondbacks walk off Philies in extra innings

  • Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Philadelphia Phillies | June 25, 2017

    Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Philadelphia Phillies | June 25, 2017

  • Ray on his outing against the Phillies

    Ray on his outing against the Phillies

  • Torey Lovullo on Diamondbacks' loss to Phillies

    Torey Lovullo on Diamondbacks’ loss to Phillies

  • Lovullo discusses the Diamondbacks' win over the Phillies

    Lovullo discusses the Diamondbacks’ win over the Phillies

  • Torey Lovullo after D-Backs win series vs. Rockies

    Torey Lovullo after D-Backs win series vs. Rockies

  • Paul Goldschmidt on D-Backs' offensive outburst

    Paul Goldschmidt on D-Backs’ offensive outburst

  • Zack Godley on strong outing at Coors Field

    Zack Godley on strong outing at Coors Field

  • D-Backs' Taijuan Walker on win over Rockies

    D-Backs’ Taijuan Walker on win over Rockies

  • Torey Lovullo after blowout win vs. Rockies

    Torey Lovullo after blowout win vs. Rockies

  • Torey Lovullo on decision to stick with Zack Greinke

    Torey Lovullo on decision to stick with Zack Greinke

  • Zack Greinke after loss vs. Rockies

    Zack Greinke after loss vs. Rockies

  • D-Backs suffer tough loss in Denver

    D-Backs suffer tough loss in Denver

  • Shot Clock: D-Backs, Rockies set for showdown

    Shot Clock: D-Backs, Rockies set for showdown

  • Torey Lovullo on Rey Fuentes' go-ahead homer

    Torey Lovullo on Rey Fuentes’ go-ahead homer

  • Rey Fuentes on hitting his first career home run

    Rey Fuentes on hitting his first career home run

  • Robbie Ray on his outing vs. Phillies

    Robbie Ray on his outing vs. Phillies

  • Manager Torey Lovullo after D-Backs' sixth consecutive win

    Manager Torey Lovullo after D-Backs’ sixth consecutive win

  • Jake Lamb on D-Backs' latest win over Phillies

    Jake Lamb on D-Backs’ latest win over Phillies

  • Torey Lovullo talks about his late father's support, guidance

    Torey Lovullo talks about his late father’s support, guidance

  • Torey Lovullo on his father's job in television

    Torey Lovullo on his father’s job in television

  • Torey Lovullo on D-Backs' come-from-behind win over Phillies

    Torey Lovullo on D-Backs’ come-from-behind win over Phillies

  • Gregor Blanco discusses his game-tying homer vs. Phillies

    Gregor Blanco discusses his game-tying homer vs. Phillies

  • Patrick Corbin on his performance vs. Phillies

    Patrick Corbin on his performance vs. Phillies

  • Torey Lovullo on D-Backs' latest one-run win

    Torey Lovullo on D-Backs’ latest one-run win

  • Taijuan Walker on his first outing back from the disabled list

    Taijuan Walker on his first outing back from the disabled list

  • David Peralta on his go-ahead homer in win over Tigers

    David Peralta on his go-ahead homer in win over Tigers

  • Torey Lovullo after D-Backs' win over Tigers

    Torey Lovullo after D-Backs’ win over Tigers

  • Robbie Ray on D-Backs' win over Brewers

    Robbie Ray on D-Backs’ win over Brewers

  • Paul Goldschmidt on grand slam, offensive outburst

    Paul Goldschmidt on grand slam, offensive outburst

  • Godley on taking advantage of opportunity after D-Backs win

    Godley on taking advantage of opportunity after D-Backs win

  • Torey Lovullo after D-Backs' win over Brewers

    Torey Lovullo after D-Backs’ win over Brewers

  • Randall Delgado on his rough outing against Brewers

    Randall Delgado on his rough outing against Brewers

  • Lovullo on Diamondbacks' loss to Brewers

    Lovullo on Diamondbacks’ loss to Brewers

  • Chris Iannetta on his career-high 7 RBIs vs. Padres

    Chris Iannetta on his career-high 7 RBIs vs. Padres

The Arizona Diamondbacks return home Friday night to face old friend Max Scherzer and the Washington Nationals. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. from Chase Field. 

Follow here for news, notes and analysis throughout the night. 

Chipping away

The Nationals pulled closer to the Diamondbacks in the fifth, adding a pair of runs.

With runners on second and third and just one out, center fielder Brian Goodwin grounded out to right-hander Zack Godley. But instead of throwing home to catch Matt Wieters trying to score, Godley threw to first for the out.

Washington made it 5-3 on a Ryan Raburn single, bringing up the tying run – right fielder Bryce Harper. 

After a huddle with pitching coach Mike Butcher, Godley got Harper to strike out to end the inning.

More offense

Nationals starter Max Scherzer’s second time through the Diamondbacks order was much better than his first look, but he still struggled with two hitters:

A.J. Pollock and Jame Lamb.

After both players homered in the first as part of an impressive back-to-back-to-back start by the Diamondbacks, Pollock and Lamb doubled in the second to put Arizona up 5-0.

As for the Nationals’ hitters, they didn’t tally their first hit until the fourth – a double by Harper to extend his hitting streak to a career-high 14 games. Harper went on to score after a Daniel Murphy double off Godley.

Three in a row

The Diamondbacks had a historic start Friday against Scherzer, opening the game with three straight homers for the first time in club history.

Right fielder David Peralta started the streak with a leadoff shot to right. Pollock followed that up with a home run to left, and then Lamb smashed another home run to right. 

It was the first time the Diamondbacks went back-to-back-to-back since Aug.11, 2010, when they smacked four straight homers against the Brewers in the fourth inning. The Diamondbacks were the first team to start the game with three homers in a row since the Orioles did it May 10, 2012, against the Rangers, according to ESPN Stats & Info.

First baseman Paul Goldschmidt continued the hit parade with a single up the middle before Scherzer finally retired No. 5 hitter Daniel Descalso, getting Descalso to strike out. 

Arizona tacked on a fourth run on a single from catcher Jeff Mathis, with second baseman Brandon Drury scoring after he walked. 

Scherzer finally escaped the inning when he got Godley to strike out.

Banda set for his debut

Since right-hander Taijuan Walker left earlier in the week for the birth of his son, the Diamondbacks have reconfigured their rotation by bumping up starters Patrick Corbin and Zack Godley to pitch a day earlier than they were scheduled.

But they’re poised to add a new name to the mix Saturday, positioning left-hander Anthony Banda to make his major-league debut against the Nationals.

“We feel this is the right situation for Anthony to come in and help us win a ballgame,” manager Torey Lovullo said.

Banda, who was acquired in the Gerardo Parra trade with the Brewers in 2014 and has been regarded as one of the team’s top prospects, has spent the entire season in Triple-A, going 7-5 with a 5.08 ERA. His last appearance with Reno was a dud, as he gave up seven runs off 15 hits in just five innings Monday against Salt Lake.

But the 23-year-old allowed three or fewer runs in his previous four starts and has cut back on walks, issuing only three in his past four games while striking out 17 in that span.

“Anthony’s been throwing the ball very well, outside of his last outing,” Lovullo said. “His walk-to-strikeout ratio was exceptional. He had three real good outings. I think overall, he’s been growing and learning. As a young pitcher, he’s been figuring out game planning, understanding how important attacking game plans are, and just growing as a young pitcher should in the minor leagues, and player development’s done a good job with him. I know April wasn’t a good month for him, but May seemed to really trend up and spike up.”

The Diamondbacks had yet to make Banda’s addition official but would have to make a corresponding roster move. Walker, who left before his scheduled start Thursday, won’t rejoin the team until next week as he remains on the paternity-leave list. His son and wife, Heather, are doing great, Lovullo said, and Walker was able to make it from Cincinnati to Phoenix in time for the birth of the couple’s first child.

He’s likely to return to the rotation Tuesday against the Braves.

Injury update

Outfielder Rey Fuentes, who was placed on the 10-day disabled list Wednesday with a left thumb contusion, will be shut down for the next several days.

Fuentes was checked out by the team’s hand specialist and is dealing with laxity and discomfort in his thumb, Lovullo said. An X-ray did not reveal any breaks.

“We’re very thankful for that,” Lovullo said.

Right-hander Randall Delgado (elbow inflammation) remains idle, as he’s in the midst of not throwing for up to 15 days.

As for fellow right-hander Rubby De La Rosa, who’s been sidelined with shoulder inflammation, he was scheduled to throw a rehab game Friday with Reno.

Outfielder Yasmany Tomas (right groin tendinitis) still has “minimal discomfort with certain movements when he gets on his feet,” Lovullo said. Tomas hasn’t played since June 2 but has been staying active.

“He’s been in the batting cage,” Lovullo said. “He’s been hitting. He’s been throwing, and everything is trending in a very positive direction.”

Shortstop Nick Ahmed remains on the mend after fracturing his right hand in late June.

“He still has the pins in his hand, and we’re going to make sure we do everything at the appropriate time for him,” Lovullo said.

Short hop

The Diamondbacks agreed to terms with five international signees, including outfielder Kristian Robinson – the No. 9 prospect by Baseball America from the 2017 international class.

Arizona also signed outfielder Jorge Barrosa, the 44th-ranked prospect by Baseball America from the 2017 international class, infielder Neyfy Castillo, catcher Sergio Gutierrez and infielder Liover Peguero.

Martinez undergoes MRI

Diamondbacks outfielder J.D. Martinez underwent an MRI on Friday on his left hand after getting hit by a pitch Wednesday, and the results came back negative.

It’s possible Martinez, who was acquired in a trade with the Tigers on Tuesday, makes his home debut Friday against the Nationals off the bench, as manager Torey Lovullo didn’t rule out Martinez’s availability.

“We’re very encouraged and thankful for the news that we got,” Lovullo said.

Martinez was hit by a pitch in his second at-bat Wednesday, suffering a left hand contusion. The team planned to put him through tests to gauge how he felt.

Rotation outlook

Left-hander Anthony Banda is poised to make his major-league debut Saturday, sliding into the rotation with right-hander Taijuan Walker remaining on the paternity-leave list.

Walker won’t return until after this weekend series against the Nationals, likely slotting back into the rotation Tuesday against the Braves.

Lineup

David Peralta is batting leadoff for the Diamondbacks against the Nationals, with Jeff Mathis behind the plate for starting pitcher Zack Godley.

 

Friday’s game 

Nationals at Diamondbacks

When: 6:40 p.m.

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

Pitchers: Diamondbacks RHP Zack Godley (3-4, 3.09) vs. Nationals RHP Max Scherzer (11-5, 2.01).

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

RHP Taijuan Walker’s placement on the paternity list has muddied up the club’s upcoming starters. LHP Patrick Corbin was supposed to start this game but he instead started Thursday. RHP Zack Godley and RHP Matt Koch appear to be the most likely candidates to take the ball. … Scherzer has had a tremendous 19-start run to open the season, pitching better than anyone in the majors. He leads the league in strikeouts (183 in 134 1/3 innings) and has the lowest WHIP (0.80) and the lowest hits per nine innings (5.1). … He faced the Diamondbacks on May 4, allowing just one run on two hits and two walks in seven innings. He struck out 11. … He has made two starts at Chase Field since being traded away by the Diamondbacks after the 2009 season, giving up four runs in 15 innings with two walks and 17 strikeouts.

Coming up

Saturday: At Chase Field, 5:10 p.m., Diamondbacks TBA vs. Nationals RHP Tanner Roark (7-6, 4.98).

Sunday: At Chase Field, 1:10 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Robbie Ray (9-4, 2.97) vs. Nationals RHP Stephen Strasburg (10-3, 3.31).

Monday: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Zack Greinke (11-4, 2.97) vs. Braves RHP R.A. Dickey (6-6, 4.14).

Up next: Washington Nationals

Nationals update: The Diamondbacks haven’t seen the Nationals since early May, when they dropped two of three games in D.C. The Nationals, at 57-37, own the second-best record in the National League behind the Dodgers. They came out of the gates strong in the second half, winning five of their first six games. They’ve won 10 of 13 overall. They have the best offensive in the league, averaging 5.59 runs per game. They’re powered by four of the league’s best hitters in RF Bryce Harper (.337, 24 homers), 1B Ryan Zimmerman (.323, 20 homers), 3B Anthony Rendon (.318, 20 homers) and 2B Daniel Murphy (.337, 16 homers). Their pitching staff isn’t bad, either, particularly the rotation, which ranks third in the league with a 3.56 ERA. The bullpen has been another story. It ranks dead last in the league with a 5.32 ERA, though the Nationals attempted to bolster it with a recent trade to acquire RHP Ryan Madson and LHP Sean Doolittle from the Oakland Athletics.

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