D-Backs' Corbin gets win in return from Tommy John surgery: 'It's great to be back'

PHOENIX - With a big holiday crowd to cheer him on, Patrick Corbin was back on the mound.

And the only butterflies came before the game started.

Corbin threw five solid innings to get the win in his return from Tommy John surgery 15 months ago and the Arizona Diamondbacks made it three straight over the Colorado Rockies with a 7-3 victory Saturday night.

''It's great to be back,'' he said. ''You have a lot of emotions going. When they announced my name pre-game the fans gave a pretty nice applause, that gave me some chills and some butterflies. After that I calmed down. I just wanted to go out there and don't overthrow, throw a lot of strikes and I felt like I was able to do that.''

The 25-year-old left-hander, who had the surgery on March 25, 2014, allowed two runs, scattered eight hits, struck out three and walked none.

Making his first start since Sept. 27, 2013, Corbin threw 76 pitches, 56 for strikes.

Manager Chip Hale said he noticed no signs of extra nervousness from his pitcher.

''It seemed like a normal day for him,'' Hale said. ''But it was way more than a normal day for us and I think for him now to get through this and feel good about it, and we'll see how he feels tomorrow.''