PHOENIX — Hall of Fame, here comes Mr. 3,000.
CC Sabathia battled his way into the 3,000 strikeout club Tuesday night at Chase Field, striking out three batters in the second inning. The third strikeout was ex-Yankee John Ryan Murphy, who swung through a diving 84-mph changeup to give Sabathia 3,000 K’s.
In the inning, ex-Met Wilmer Flores lifted his first home run of the season, driving a Sabathia pitch into the left-field seats. The Yankees offense was quieted by Zack Greinke as the Diamondbacks came away with the 3-1 victory.
Flores, who is 5-for-7 lifetime against against Sabathia, also singled in a run in the fourth and afterward spoke highly of Sabathia’s ultimate place in the history of the game.