Gallen strikes out 11, Diamondbacks beat Brewers 3-0

By DAVID BRANDT AP Baseball Writer

PHOENIX (AP) — Zac Gallen struck out 11 over seven innings, Christian Walker smacked a two-run homer and the Arizona Diamondbacks won their fourth straight game, beating the Milwaukee Brewers 3-0. Nick Ahmed had three hits while Ketel Marte added two for the D-backs, who took three of four from the Dodgers over the weekend. Scott McGough threw a scoreless eighth and Andrew Chafin handled the ninth for his second save. Wade Miley gave up three runs on five hits over five innings to take the loss. The Brewers struck out 15 times and finished with three hits — none for extra bases.

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PHOENIX (AP) — Zac Gallen's first two outings on the mound were pretty rough this season.

To keep the slow start in perspective, the Arizona Diamondbacks ace wore a beige and green hat to the ballpark on Monday that said “Don't Trip” — a reminder that it was just two starts, there was a ton of season left and there was no reason to freak out.

Outing No. 3 was much, much better.

Gallen struck out 11 over seven innings, Christian Walker smacked a two-run homer and the Diamondbacks won their fourth straight game, beating the Milwaukee Brewers 3-0.

“Having a night like this is nice, a confidence boost,” Gallen said. “But I really wasn't too worried about it. It's two starts, now this is the third, and hopefully I'll have 27 to 30 more. It's just understanding it's a long season.”

Nick Ahmed had three hits while Ketel Marte added two for the D-backs, who took three of four from the Dodgers over the weekend.

Arizona took a 1-0 lead in the first when Josh Rojas’ single brought home Marte, who led off the inning with a double. Walker slugged his two-run homer in the fifth, with the ball barely clearing the right-center wall.

The Brewers were coming off an excellent homestand, winning five of six. But they couldn't solve Gallen (1-1), who finished fifth in the NL Cy Young Award voting last season. The right-hander gave up three hits and a walk.

“His curveball was really good tonight,” Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. “We just couldn't see it.”

Scott McGough threw a scoreless eighth and Andrew Chafin handled the ninth for his second save.

Milwaukee's Wade Miley (1-1) gave up three runs on five hits over five innings. The Brewers struck out 15 times and finished with three hits — none for extra bases.

“It was a good, clean game,” D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said. “Those are the games everyone enjoys. We played great defense, got a few timely hits and great pitching.”

STAR STRUCK

Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant came to Monday's game with a handful of teammates. The 13-time All-Star — who was dealt to the Suns in a blockbuster trade deadline deal back in February — was wearing the jersey of rookie Corbin Carroll.

“Someone told me in the third inning,” Carroll said with a grin. “I gave it a peek. That was pretty cool.”

Carroll — who was wearing a Suns shirt — grew up in Seattle and remembers going to Sonics games as a kid before the franchise moved to Oklahoma City. Durant played in Seattle during his rookie year in 2007-08.

“It was a full circle moment for me,” Carroll said.

QUICK PACE

The game was completed in 2 hours, 12 minutes, partly because of the new pitch clock rules that have shortened games by more than 30 minutes over last season.

TELLEZ'S STRANGE K

Milwaukee's Rowdy Tellez was called for strike three in the seventh inning because of a pitch-clock violation. The first baseman wasn't ready in the batter's box with 8 seconds remaining.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Diamondbacks: Lovullo said rookie RHP Drey Jameson will start against the Brewers on Wednesday. A spot in the rotation opened when RHP Zach Davies (oblique) went on the injured list. Jameson started the season in the bullpen, where he has a 2.16 ERA in 8 1/3 innings over three appearances.

UP NEXT

The Brewers send RHP Corbin Burnes (0-1, 9.64 ERA) to the mound on Tuesday night. The D-backs will counter with RHP Merrill Kelly (0-1, 3.86 ERA)

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