Jordan Montgomery shines in his delayed season debut with the Diamondbacks

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Jordan Montgomery’s debut with the Arizona Diamondbacks went better than his tune-up starts in Triple-A.

The 31-year-old left-hander cruised through six innings against the San Francisco Giants, allowing one run and four hits with three strikeouts on 78 pitches on Friday night.

Montgomery was the last marquee free agent to come off the board, waiting until days before the season started to sign a one-year, $25 million deal with the Diamondbacks. He had two tune-up starts in Triple-A Reno before pitching in his first big league game this season, allowing nine runs in 7 2/3 innings.

Friday’s outing was far better.

“I expect that every game,” Montgomery said of his season debut. “I think sometimes you get in your own head in minor league games, and it’s not about executing anymore. You’re aiming instead of ripping, and stuff gets bad when you start aiming. So I just needed to get in my element, and be out there and compete.”