Photo: The Arizona Republic
PHOENIX, Ariz. – After getting shutout three times during their recent six game road trip, the Arizona Diamondbacks returned to the comforts of Chase Field.
Aaron Hill became the fifth player in Diamondbacks history to hit for the cycle as Arizona cruised to a 7-1 win over the Seattle Mariners on Monday.
“It was nice,” Hill said. “Obviously it’s a lot nicer when you are winning. You go through ups and downs throughout the whole year. You can never get too high, never get too low.”
The Diamondbacks jumped on Seattle earlier, snapping the 21 scoreless inning streak in the first inning. Willie Bloomquist, Hill and Justin Upton all singled to start the game. Bloomquist scored on an RBI single by Upton, while Jason Kubel and Paul Goldschmidt hit sacrifice flies to give Arizona an early 3-0 lead. The Diamondbacks tied a franchise record with four sacrifice flies in the game.
“We made some good plays,” Manager Kirk Gibson said. “It was good energy, good preparation and good results. It was good game. It’s how we like it.”
Still, the main focus was on Arizona’s second basemen.
Hill followed up his first inning single with a triple in the third and a double in the fifth. That set up Hill’s final at-bat of the evening in the seventh, just needing that elusive home run.
“I don’t think I’ve ever tried to hit a home run and actually done it,” Hill said. “We just got to take a deep breath. It’s something you can definitely get too excited about and do too much.”
Hill depostited an 0-1 fastball in the left field bleachers to join Kelly Johnson (2010), Stephen Drew (2008), Greg Colbrunn (2002) and Luis Gonzalez (2000) as the only Diamondbacks to hit for the cycle.
“Any time you come out and spread the ball around tonight,” said Hill. “It was nice to come out and get the bats rolling, it’s good to be home, so hopefully we can continue it tomorrow.”
Lost in the offensive explosion was another solid outing from rookie Wade Miley. Miley (8-2) tied a career-high with eight strikeouts in seven inning of work.
“The offense got started early and gave me some support,” Miley said. “I’m just trying to make pitches. I’m not trying to strike guys out, I’m just trying to get outs and get the offense back out on the field as quick as possible.”
The Diamondbacks will go for their fourth straight series win at Chase Field on Tuesday. Daniel Hudson (3-1, 5.67) gets the start against Erasmo Ramirez (0-1, 4.50). First pitch is at 6:40 on Fox Sports Arizona.
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