D-backs Walk Off, Complete Comeback

The Arizona Diamondbacks (28-30) opened a three game series against visting Oakland Athletics (26-33) at Chase Field in Phoenix on Friday night. As I watched the game, it looked more like a company softball game than a professional baseball game, as the two teams combined for 31 hits and 17 runs, capped off by a walk off home run by Ryan Roberts to end the game.

Daniel Hudson took the mound for Arizona and put up what could easily be considered his worst start of the season, allowing 8 hits and 6 earned runs in only 1 2/3 innings. Josh Collmenter provided great relief, and was able to weather the storm by giving up only 3 hits over 3 1/3 innings, without allowing a run to score.

However, the story of the night was definitely the offense, and boy was there offense.

After falling behind 6-0 in the top of the 2nd, the boys were able to cut the lead to 6-3 in the bottom half of the inning thanks to an RBI single by Willie Bloomquist, followed by a 2 run homer by Jason Kubel. They added another run in the 5th with a solo homer by Paul Goldschmidt, who has been white hot over the past four weeks.

Oakland was able to tack on a couple more runs in the 6th with a two run homer by Seth Smith, but the D-backs came back in the bottom of the inning as Justin Upton hit a frozen rope into center field to drive in Kubel from second and cut the lead to 8-6.

This set the stage for the bottom of the ninth. With two outs and closer Brian Fuentes on the mound, Chris Young drew a walk and Aaron Hill followed with a single. As Ryan Roberts approached the batters box, I have to admit, flashbacks of his walk off grand slam last September crossed my mind. On a 2-1 count, Roberts took a 91 MPH fastball to the left-center field bleachers, completing the comeback.

Overall it was a really fun game to watch. Granted I would love to see a little more consistency from our starters, I was very happy with the way the bullpen was able to keep the game close throughout the game. Collmenter was locating his pitches very well and JJ Putz threw some of the best split fingered fastballs that I have seen from him all season. Great way to start the weekend series.