A Randal Grichuk strikeout stranded three Cardinals in Saturday's first inning.
Diamondbacks starter Robbie Ray issued back-to-back walks and a weathered a dreaded early mound visit from his manager before striking out the Cardinals' center fielder on four pitches: a fastball (strike), a slider (swinging strike), another slider (foul ball) and another fastball (swinging strike).
Ray's escape came after Paul Goldschmidt flashed his Gold-Glove defense. The Diamondbacks' first baseman, an All-Star in each of the past three seasons, gloved a scorching Matt Holliday line drive for the second out. Matt Carpenter beat Goldschmidt's throw to second base by a step to avoid a double play that would have ended the inning.