The Arizona Diamondbacks began their homestand opener with a 6-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays. As right-hander Michael Soroka earned his fourth win of the season, it was clear the D-backs made the right decision with regards to their starting rotation. Michael Soroka rewards D-backs’ confidenceApr 17, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Michael Soroka (34) pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images | Joe Camporeale-Imagn ImagesIn his first start after the D-backs elected to keep him in the rotation over right-hander Brandon Pfaadt, Soroka made his deepest, most efficient performance as a Diamondback.Asked if Soroka was even better than he thought, manager Torey Lovullo said: “I’m not surprised by it. He’s got really good stuff. I don’t want to say that I’m surprised by anything due to the fact that I perceive like he’s emerged and he’s paid his dues to be in this position.”Soroka pitched seven strong innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits, he struck out five and did not walk a batter.The righty had been filling up the strikeout column — and subsequently needing to labor somewhat heavily to complete even five innings — in his previous three starts. On Friday night, he began his outing in a much different manner, pitching to contact and working quickly the first time through the order.He allowed one run on a sacrifice bunt in the fourth inning. His second earned run was a pure mistake pitch, as a hanging changeup was taken deep into the bullpen by Myles Straw. But other than those blemishes, Soroka was quite sharp. He only picked up seven whiffs, but landed his trademark slurve for 10 called strikes. He punctuated his outing with a strikeout of Ernie Clement, exiting with his first official quality start of the year and in line for his fourth straight win. It was also the first time he had gone a full seven frames since August of 2019 — his All-Star season in Atlanta….Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka delivered seven innings with two earned runs at Chase Field on Friday against the Toronto Blue Jays, and Arizona improved to 4-0 in games he has started so far this year. Third baseman Nolan Arenado homered in Arizona’s 6-3 win, the club’s third straight victory to improve to 12-8 through 20 games. Paul Sewald picked up his seventh save in as many opportunities, although eight of nine starters in the lineup recorded a hit against the defending American League-champion Blue Jays (7-12). RELATED STORIESDiamondbacks could get Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Back this weekendDiamondbacks’ Ryne Nelson advises Brandon Pfaadt for how to handle bullpen moveDiamondbacks road trip takeaways: 3 series wins leads to successful tripAdrian Del Castillo hits game-winning home run as Diamondbacks win series over Orioles “Good day for us, and it was really around what Michael Soroka was able to do,” manager Torey Lovullo said. “Really good day for him, and it set everything up for us. Paul collects his seventh save. We had some timely hitting, the large home run by Arenado. … Well-played defensively. Just a game that we enjoy playing. We seem to live in that space.” With Arizona’s win paired a San Diego Padres loss in Anaheim and a Los Angeles Dodgers win in Colorado on Friday, the three National League West clubs are tied for the most victories in the majors since March 30 with 12 each. Michael Soroka gets through 7 for Diamondbacks Soroka got through seven innings pitched in a start for the first time since 2019 with the Atlanta Braves. That was before his first Achilles tear, second Achilles tear and the numerous injuries he has gone through since his All-Star campaign at 21 years aged….Nolan Arenado homered and right-hander Michael Soroka moved into a tie for the MLB lead in wins among starters with his fourth of the season as the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Toronto Blue Jays 6-3.
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