Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder David Peralta making strides on defense

SAN DIEGO – Twice in the early innings on Thursday night, a Padres hitter scorched a ball to left field, and twice the Diamondbacks’ David Peralta raced to make a play, the first ball taking him into the gap, the second one back toward the wall.

Neither play was especially breathtaking, nor were they pivotal to the Diamondbacks’ victory. But they served as reminders of something that has changed this season: The expectations around Peralta’s defense have shifted significantly, to the point that catches like those are almost commonplace. He is expected to make them.

Peralta has never been a poor defender, certainly never to the levels of Yasmany Tomas or other rough-around-the-edges corner…