PHOENIX -- This is why the D-backs re-signed Zac Gallen.
When he’s at the top of his game, he can anchor a rotation and even outduel a two-time Cy Young Award winner.
Making his first home start since returning to Arizona, Gallen hurled six scoreless innings to lead the D-backs to a 1-0 win over Tarik Skubal and the Tigers in Wednesday’s series finale.
It’s the fourth time the D-backs have swept their season-opening home series. It came at an opportune time, too, pushing them back to .500 after an 0-3 start.
Mostly leaning on his four-seamer, knuckle-curve and slider, Gallen allowed just four hits, walked none and struck out two.
Corbin Carroll delivered the game’s lone run with a solo shot off Skubal in the first, depositing an 0-2 fastball into the left-field bleachers.
The Tigers’ best scoring chance came in the sixth when Kevin McGonigle roped a triple down the right-field line. A heady defensive play by Jose Fernandez helped Gallen escape unscathed.
Making his first start at first base, the rookie snared a line drive off the bat of Gleyber Torres and fired across the diamond to double up for the inning-ending double play.
Taylor Clarke, Juan Morillo and Jonathan Loáisiga each pitched a scoreless inning in relief to seal the sweep.