Diamondbacks-Cardinals Recap: Not in My Pool

Sep 28, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Josh Collmenter (55) pitches in the fourth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

There was an electricity in the air at Chase Field for the last three games of the 2014 season for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Some of it was because many fans of the St. Louis Cardinals were on hand hoping their team could clinch the National League Central with a win, perhaps seeing the players taking a dip in the pool to celebrate. But I also believe D’backs fans sensed a new day was dawning with the announcement Friday afternoon that manager Kirk Gibson was relieved of his duties. In the end, Arizona dropped two out of three and finsihed at 64-98, the worst record in baseball.

Alan Trammell, even though he was let go as well, agreed to manage the Snakes for he final three games. In the opener, Trevor Cahill finished off his dismal season in typical fashion. He lasted only 5 1/3 innings, giving up four runs on six hits, walking three and striking out three, ending his season with a sorry 5.61 ERA. However, a funny thing happened after the D’backs got behind 6-2: they came roaring back. A run in the seventh and three more in the eighth capped by an Ender Inciarte double tied the score. The Cards took the lead for good in the tenth on Jhonny Peralta‘s single and won the game 7-6, bringing them a step closer to the division crown.

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After the Pirates lost Saturday afternoon, St, Louis entered the game looking for a win to seal the deal. However, Mark Trumbo powered up, smacking two home runs, including the decisive three-run shot in the seventh inning as the Snakes would win for the final time in 2014 with a 5-2 victory. David Peralta got it going with a solo shot in the first and then Trumbo’s first blast gave the D’backs a quick 2-0 lead. Wade Miley pitched a so-so five innings giving up two runs and ending the year with over 200 innings pitched for the second straight season. Randall Delgado was the pitching star, firing three scoreless frames allowing only one hit to pick up the victory. Addison Reed closed it out for his 32nd save.

With Pittsburgh’s loss Sunday before first pitch, Cardinals’ skipper Mike Matheny decided to skip Adam Wainwright‘s start and elected to use a committee to close out the finale. It proved to be a wise decision as five St. Louis relievers allowed only two hits in their 1-0 win. Josh Collmenter pitched a brilliant eight innings, surrendering only a Kolten Wong RBI groundout and finishing with a hard-luck loss. Collmenter finished as the D’backs’ best pitcher with a record of 11-9 and a 3.46 ERA.

It was the end of a long season. But I think I speak for most D’back fans in looking forward to a much better 2015.