PHOENIX -- D-backs starter Robbie Ray has been working with pitching coach Mike Harkey on doing a better job of mixing in offspeed pitches to go with his plus fastball.
His outing against the Giants on Friday night may have matched his shortest of the season, but the D-backs left-hander continued to show what has made him strong throughout the year, as well as the progress he has made.
Ray gave up two runs in five innings and struck out a career-high eight batters, lowering his ERA to 2.29 in nine starts.
"I'm mixing in the slider and changeup more than I have and that was working for me as long as I was keeping it down in the zone," Ray said.