The Arizona Diamondbacks won their fifth game in a row as they defeated the Padres 3-1 Saturday night. This marks the seventh fine start in a row for Arizona’s pitchers. They’ve allowed eight runs, seven earned in 47 innings during this streak, and have kept opponents hits low despite a low strikeout rate of their own.

That low hit rate is their key to success. If you look at the league in terms of average game score during that time, the Diamondbacks rank number one, but the second place Rays seem to have pitched better. Rays starters went deeper in games, struck out more batters, and walked about the same. The DBacks lower hit numbers led to many fewer runs, putting them ahead of the Rays. Opponents are just 4 for 49 (0.082) against the entire DBacks staff with runners in scoring position during that time, so there’s been some good luck in those numbers as well.

The Giants pitched a very good game last night as well as Eric Surkamp made his major league debut and held the Astros to one run in six innings. The teams remain separated by three games in the NL West.