PHOENIX -- There were a lot of firsts when the D-backs hit back-to-back-to-back homers off Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer in the first inning of Friday night's 6-5 walk-off win. It started with David Peralta's first career leadoff homer and was followed by homers from A.J. Pollock and Jake Lamb.
It was the first time that Scherzer had allowed three consecutive homers and the first time the D-backs hit three straight homers to open a game. It was also the first time the Nats had allowed three homers to open a game since moving to Washington in 2005.
That the power outburst came against Scherzer made it all the more surprising, given how he has dominated them since they traded him to the Tigers in December 2010. Scherzer entered the game with a 5-0 mark and a 2.41 ERA against the team that originally drafted him.
"Exciting game," D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said. "A very emotional game. A lot of ups and downs. I was really happy and proud of the way the guys came out and had a great plan against Max Scherzer, arguably one of the best arms in baseball. That's something you never expect, to lead off the game with three consecutive home runs, but I thought the approach was good and obviously the results were outstanding."

Scherzer said it wasn't so much about the location of his pitches, but the fact that the D-backs were keying in on those locations.
"They had a great game plan against me," Scherzer said. "Look, I had four pitches today. I was using them. They beat me. They came out there. They were playing. They beat me. That's what you get. Sometimes in this game, you get punched in the face. And you've got to be able to take it and learn from it. I've just got to fix some stuff that I'm doing, sequencing-wise, come back out here next time and get them out."

The last time a big league team opened either the top or bottom of the first inning with three straight homers was May 10, 2012, when the Orioles did it in the bottom of the first against the Rangers. Overall, it was just the fifth time a team had done that.
The last time the D-backs hit back-to-back-to-back homers was Aug. 11, 2010, when they hit four straight against the Brewers at Miller Park.
The D-backs followed up the three homers with a single by Paul Goldschmidt before Scherzer managed to strike out Daniel Descalso for the first out. All told, Arizona scored four runs and sent nine men to the plate in the first inning.
"Well it was pretty cool," Pollock said. "I'm sure he hasn't really given those up. He's such a great pitcher, you're really just trying to get some good contact. To get three home runs is pretty unusual, but it was awesome. It was really cool to see David get us going like that. And then, you know, I got that, and then Lamb behind me. It was a great first inning against, you know, the best pitcher in the league right now and we're really happy about it."