Dbacks Resilience is Rewarded, Take Opener

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The Dbacks fought and fought until they earned the lead. Once they had it, they refused to let it go. The Dodgers smacked long balls earlier in the game and it appeared they were on their way to an 8th consecutive victory over the Dbacks. On this night Arizona refused to take a loss and their resiliency was eventually rewarded with a 10-6 win.

Allen Webster started the game in the most abysmal manner, yet was punished rather minimally. After loading up the bases (without giving up a hit), Webster managed to get Adrian Gonzalez to hit into a double play that brought in the only run of the inning. The 4th inning wouldn’t be as kind to Webster.

Andre Ethier and Yasmani Grandal smacked back-to-back homeruns to extend the Dodgers lead to 3-0. A couple of hitters later, current and future Dbacks killer Joc Pederson hit his 20th long ball of the season. The rookie now owns 4 homeruns against Arizona. It was also Los Angeles’ 100th team homer of the season. A couple of base-runners later and Webster was history.

Mike Bolsinger also had a short outing, but it wasn’t due to his performance. In the middle of the game, Bolsinger fell ill with what has been said to be a stomach flu. Bolsinger went 4 scoreless innings while surrendering 3 hits and striking out 4. Webster went 3.2 innings while surrendering 5 hits (3 homers) and 4 runs. Neither would factor into the decision.

Jun 29, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Welington Castillo (right) celebrates after scoring in the eighth inning with teammate Nick Ahmed against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The road to redemption for Arizona began in the 5th inning. In what appeared to be a harmless stroll around the bottom of the order, the Dbacks managed to hand a couple of crooked numbers. After a Chris Owings single, Nick Ahmed crushed a hanging breaking ball over the left field fence to cut the deficit in half.

The following inning brought the Dbacks level with the Dodgers. After Paul Goldschmidt extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a single, Yasmany Tomas hit a big fly over (sort of) the left field fence. It appeared that a fan draped his hands over the fence to snag the ball but when reviewed the play stood as called and the game was tied at 4.

The tie would only be temporary. After having been a roll as of late, Andrew Chafin did not deliver one of his finest performances. An RBI single by Jimmy Rollins with the bases loaded gave the Dodgers two runs and a 6-4 lead. That lead, however, would also be temporary.

Jun 29, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Yasmany Tomas (right) celebrates with teammate Paul Goldschmidt after hitting a two run home run in the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

In the bottom of the 7th inning, and after two outs already on the board, the Dbacks got their comeback act going again. After back-to-back singles by pinch hitter Cliff Pennington and A.J. Pollock, a hot David Peralta produced an RBI triple to re-tie the game at 6. It was the third consecutive inning in which the Dbacks scored two runs.

In the bottom of the 8th inning, the road to redemption was completed and the Dbacks took their first lead of the game. After a walk to Jake Lamb, Welington Castillo‘s double gave the Dbacks a 7-6 lead. An attempted sacrifice bunt by Ahmed provoked the Dodgers pitcher to make an errant throw, causing Castillo to score. Goldy smacked an RBI single with the bases loaded to make the game 10-6.

Brad Ziegler arrived in the 9th inning to protect an 10-6 lead and was successful. Enrique Burgos (1-2) and Juan Nicasio (1-3) were the pitchers of the record. The Dbacks are now 5 games back of the Dodgers in the National League West.

Players of the Game

Nick Ahmed (ARI) 2-for-3, R, HR, 2 RBI

David Peralta (ARI) 2-for-4, 3B, RBI

Welington Castillo (ARI) 2-for-4, R, 2B, RBI

Arizona (37-39) and Los Angeles (43-35) will do it again tomorrow night.

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