Corey Dickerson helps propel Rays past Diamondbacks
PHOENIX (AP) -- Corey Dickerson was 1 for 17 in June, then came out of his slump Wednesday.
Dickerson had three hits, two of them home runs, and the Tampa Bay Rays completed a 10-game trip with a 6-3 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.
It was the kind of performance the Rays envisioned when they acquired Dickerson from Colorado in the offseason.
"It's big to feel like yourself again," he said, "to feel like your swing's back, you're driving the ball to all fields definitely feels good. It makes you relax a little more and realize it's still there. It's just you've got to be yourself."
Desmond Jennings also homered for the Rays, who took two of three in Arizona to win consecutive series for only the second time this season.
Rickie Weeks Jr. hit a home run for the Diamondbacks.
Jake Odorizzi (3-3) went five innings and got the victory, thanks to a two-run sixth that put the Rays ahead 4-3. He allowed three runs and five hits, struck out eight and walked three.
Tampa Bay went 5-5 on its trip, finishing with series wins over Minnesota and Arizona. The Rays were swept by the Royals in a three-game series that started the trip.
"It wasn't a very fun series in Kansas City. We found every way to lose," Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said. "And the next six all games (actually seven), we found a lot of ways to win."
Archie Bradley (2-2) allowed four runs and five hits in 5 2/3 innings.
"It wasn't terrible, but it wasn't my best," he said. "Fighting myself early on. I knew it was going to be a battle all day, so I was just trying to minimize the damage and give us a chance to stay in the game.
Arizona loaded the bases with no outs against Alex Colome in the ninth with the heart of the Diamondbacks order coming to the plate. But Paul Goldschmidt struck out and David Peralta bounced into a double play.
"That just kind of shows the type of pitcher he's evolved into," Cash said, "because don't know if he's capable of getting through that last year."
Colome earned his 17th save in as many tries this season and fifth in Tampa Bay's last six games.
"We couldn't have set it up any better in the ninth," Arizona manager Chip Hale said. "Those are the guys you want up there. It just didn't work today."
Dickerson entered the game batting .189 for the season, with three hits in his last 30 at bats. He said he simply quit trying to overthink what was wrong.
"I did everything I used to do back when I played with the Rockies," he said. "I decided to just be me -- don't manipulate my stance, don't manipulate my hands, don't do anything different. Just go up there and think about seeing the baseball and let my natural ability take over."
Jennings wrapped up a big series with third home run of the season, a solo drive with two outs in the sixth, tied the score 3-3. Tim Beckham followed with a triple, Curt Casali walked and reliever Jake Barrett gave up an RBI single to pinch-hitter Steve Pearce. Dickerson's second home run, off Tyler Clippard in the seventh, gave Tampa Bay a 5-3 lead.
It was the fourth multi-homer game of Dickerson's career.
Evan Longoria extended his hitting streak to 11 games with an RBI single in the third.
HOME WOES
Arizona fell to 10-22 at Chase Field. The Diamondbacks have won just two series at home and lost seven. A four-game set with St. Louis was split.
Arizona's 16-14 road record is tied for fourth-best in the NL.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Rays: Second baseman Logan Forsythe (hairline fracture, left shoulder blade) was to make his first rehab appearance for Triple-A Durham Thursday night.
Diamondbacks: LHP Shelby Miller (right index finger sprain) will make a rehab start for Class A Visalia on Thursday night.
UP NEXT
Rays: Tampa Bay opens a nine-game homestand Friday, starting RHP Matt Andriese (4-0, 2.52 ERA) against Houston at RHP Lance McCullers (3-1, 4.23).
Diamondbacks: LHP Patrick Corbin (3-5, 4.73 ERA) starts Friday in a series opener against the Miami Marlins and LHP Justin Nicolino (2-3, 4.37).
