Ray Outpitches Rangers' Gallardo in Diamondbacks' 4-2 Win

Robbie Ray gave Arizona a glimpse of the future and Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale liked what he saw.

Ray (3-4) took a shutout into the eighth inning to outpitch Texas' Yovani Gallardo, and the Diamondbacks beat the Rangers 4-2. Ray pitched four-hit ball with one walk over a career-high 7 2/3 innings. The rookie didn't give up a hit until Elvis Andrus' single with two outs in the fifth.

"He's opened my eyes," Hale said of Ray. "I'm really excited about his future because he's going to get a better breaking ball and trust his changeup more and he's going to have three pitches. He's going to be a pretty good pitcher for us."

The left-hander beat an established good pitcher. Gallardo came into the game with 29 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings, and didn't give up a run until Jake Lamb's two-run, broken-bat single with two out in the fifth.

"We were hitting the ball hard," Lamb said. "And then I come up and break my bat, don't hit the ball hard, and that's two RBIs. They say `They even out,' and in that case they did."

Ray (3-4) pitched four-hit ball with one walk over a career-high 7 2/3 innings. He didn't give up a hit until Elvis Andrus' single with two outs in the fifth.

Jake Lamb's two-run single with two outs in the top of the fifth put Arizona ahead 2-0 and ended Gallardo's consecutive scoreless streak at 33 1/3 innings. A.J. Pollock's RBI single with two outs in the sixth made it 3-0 and chased Gallardo (7-7).

Paul Goldschmidt had two hits, including an RBI single in the eighth.

The Rangers got on the scoreboard in the bottom of eighth as Arizona right fielder Yasmany Tomas missed Andrus' line drive for a three-base error and Andrus scored on Shin-Soo Choo's sacrifice fly. Delino DeShields doubled with two outs and scored on Rougned Odor's single, chasing Ray.

Brad Ziegler pitched a perfect ninth inning for his career high-tying 13th save in 15 opportunities.

The Diamondbacks won for the fourth time in five games and handed Texas its fourth straight loss.

Rangers pitchers have allowed 37 runs and 60 hits during the losing streak.

Ray's 91 pitches were his lowest total in eight major league starts this season.

"The key is to always get ahead of hitters," he said. "If you get ahead, then you can pitch your game, and that was the key tonight. I felt like everything was working, especially my fastball command."

Rangers manager Jeff Banister agreed.

"I think the finish on the fastball is what got us."

Gallardo allowed eight hits and five walks. The Diamondbacks put their first two batters on base in both the second and fourth innings. Texas turned double plays on balls in the air to stop both threats.

Gallardo's scoreless streak was the third-longest in franchise history, trailing Kenny Rogers' 39-inning stretch in 1993 and Charlie Hough's 36 innings in 1983.

TRAINER'S ROOM

LF Josh Hamilton returned to the lineup after missing two games because of a strained hip muscle. ... LHP Derek Holland (strained shoulder), on when he would start throwing against batters: "You guys will all know before I do."

UP NEXT

LHP Matt Harrison is scheduled to make his first major league appearance since May 13, 2014. He underwent spinal fusion in June 2014. In six injury-rehab starts this season, Harrison went 1-3 with a 6.23 ERA. He was won only one major league game since going 18-11 in 2012. Harrison is 0-1 in two starts vs. Arizona.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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