The 2011 Arizona Diamondbacks are known for their offensive output and overall grit. Pitching is generally considered to be somewhere in the acceptable range which is fair since the team ERA (3.90) is just slightly above the National League average (3.83) and the team is ninth in runs allowed in the NL.
↵But wouldn't you know it, this version of the Diamondbacks also just set a record for the fewest runs allowed over a six-game stretch in franchise history. We were alerted to this possibility by the ever vigiliant Jim McLennan from AZ Snake Pit before Sunday's game:
↵↵↵Twitter / @AZSnakepit:
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AZ pitchers have allowed 4 runs in five games, the best record since Sep '99. One run or less from IPK today would set a new six-game mark.
And sure enough, Ian Patrick Kennedy and his bullpen buddies held the Padres to just one run and in the process set a new standard for Diamondbacks pitching.
↵The team has allowed a total of five runs in their last six games (54 inning) which breaks the previous record of six runs in six games set by that 2011 Diamondbacks team that had a decent year and featured Mr. Randy Johnson and Mr. Curt Schilling.
↵As other points of comparison, the miserable Giants offense scored 15 runs over their last six games; the best six-game pitching streak this season was registered by the Texas Rangers who gave up just two runs from July 10-19; and the worst D-backs six-game streak came in 2005 when the team gave up 68 (!) runs in Aug 19-24.
↵*Streak data via baseball-reference.com