Segura, Miller work fast to get D-backs win before rain hits
WASHINGTON -- Jean Segura admits that he never imagined having the type of season he's had in 2016. The Arizona Diamondbacks leadoff man reached another milestone Wednesday, joining Luis Gonzalez as the only players in franchise history with 200 hits in a season.
Segura went 3-for-3 with two runs and a stolen base as the Diamondbacks beat the Washington Nationals 3-0 in a rain-shortened game Wednesday.
The start of the game was delayed 33 minutes by rain and was later called with one out in the top of the sixth inning after a second delay of 70 minutes.
"Just a great feeling," said Segura, who was traded to Arizona in the offseason. "It's amazing especially since I've been bouncing around the couple last years. I'm impressed, I'm not going to lie to you guys, I'm impressed with the way I've been swinging the bat this season. I don't think nobody expect I'd have the season I'm having right now."
Segura is hitting .413 (26-for-63) in his last 15 games with eight home runs and 13 RBIs. He's also the first National League player to record at least 30 hits in six different months in a season since Hanley Ramirez and Jimmy Rollins in 2007.
"It's not easy," said manager Chip Hale. "I think that last 10, it gets so hard. Of course he hit the home runs the other night and then the infield hit today to do it. I'm happy for him, that's quite an accomplishment. We'll keep going, see how many he can get."
While Segura has been consistent throughout the season, starting pitcher Shelby Miller ended an otherwise forgetful campaign with two of his best starts of the year.
Five days after throwing six scoreless innings in a no-decision in Baltimore, Miller (3-12) tossed five shutout innings against the Nationals, allowing five hits and one walk with five strikeouts.
"I wish maybe I would have done this earlier on but the way I just finished these past couple games is huge and just something to build off going into 2017," Miller said after earning his first win since June 20.
"I just feel good where I'm at. I know where I'm at mechanically and stuff so I can go forward into 2017 with more confidence and knowing that I'm feeling good."
Gio Gonzalez (11-11), Washington's projected No. 3 starter in the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, struggled in his final tune up before the postseason. The lefty tossed 3 2/3 innings, allowing eight hits and three runs with four walks and four strikeouts.
"It wasn't that good, but we didn't score any runs either," manager Dusty Baker said of Gonzalez's outing. "He had a lot of pitches in a short period of time. He was 0-2 on a couple guys, then went to 3-2. Most of the night he pitched behind."
The NL East-champion Nationals have lost two of three to the last-place Diamondbacks and seven of their last 11 games overall.
Before taking the mound for his final start of the season, Gonzalez said a prayer and pointed to the sky as a tribute to his friend Jose Fernandez, who died Sunday in a boating accident. Gonzalez, a Cuban-American, will leave the Nationals on Thursday to attend Fernandez's funeral in South Florida.
Diamondbacks: RHP Zack Greinke did not accompany the Diamondbacks on their final road trip of the season due to right shoulder soreness. Manager Chip Hale said Wednesday that Greinke is not throwing and he is not expected to pitch again this season.
Nationals: Outfielder Bryce Harper was not in the Nationals' starting lineup for a third straight game because of an injured left thumb. Harper is considered day to day, but manager Dusty Baker said that he did not want to risk the NL MVP in a wet outfield after it had rained much of the afternoon. ... Second baseman Daniel Murphy remains out with a strained glute.
Nationals RHP Joe Ross (7-5, 3.48 ERA) is scheduled to make his third start since returning from the disabled list Sept.18 against Diamondbacks LHP Robby Ray (8-14, 4.77). Heavy rain is expected throughout the area all day Thursday.
