Apr 25, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Cody Ross (7) reacts while at bat against the Colorado Rockies in the eighth inning at Chase Field. The Diamondbacks defeated the Rockies 3-2. Image: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Diamondbacks once again needed extra innings to win another game on the season, and this is becoming a recurring theme with Arizona this season, as they won 3-2 in ten innings.

The Diamondbacks had Wade Miley on the mound Saturday night  in search of third win of the season, but Miley had command issues from the first batter he faced. Miley would end up walking four batters in the first inning, but he managed to escape due to a double play and a strike out. Miley lasted 4.1 innings, gave up four hits, and walked seven batters.The most important number from Miley’s performance is no runs allowed.

Arizona got the offense rolling in the first on a HR by A.J. Pollock, and a triple coming off the bat of Cody Ross. Colorado Rockies starter Jeff Francis did a good job of settling down after the initial inning.The Diamondbacks once again struggled with men on base, as they went 0-5 with runners in scoring position. Francis pitched five innings, giving up four hits, two earned runs, and walked one batter.

The Rockies did not score until the sixth inning when Troy Tulowitzki singled in their first run. Then Rockies catcher Wilin Rosario hit a laser shot to left field off Brad Ziegler that tied the game 2-2 in the seventh inning.The Rockies had a chance in the eighth inning with two men on base, but Michael Cuddyer was picked off second base by Miguel Montero.

The Rockies ran themselves out of the inning when Rosario misread a liner  from Josh Rutledge and he was doubled off second. The Rockies also struggled with runners in scoring position going 1-9.

The Diamondbacks bullpen did their job after Miley exited the game early, as indicated by them throwing 5.2 innings, allowing two hits, two earned runs, and walking no one.

This set-up the dramatics in the tenth inning for Arizona. Pollock started the inning off with a single, and then used his speed to his advantage. Pollock stole second base, then he advanced to third due to a throwing error by Rosario.

Then the Rockies walked Montero, which brought up Ross to face Edgmer Escalona. Ross jumped on the second pitch that he saw, and hit a towering sacrifice fly to end the ball game.

Arizona is now 6-0 in extra inning games this season, but I would like to see them win some games without needing extra innings. Patrick Corbin is set to pitch in finale of the series, and with a win would put them in a tie for first in the division.

The four outfielders destined to make the Opening Day roster were Cody Ross, Jason Kubel, Adam Eaton and Gerardo Parra. An injury to Ross kept him out for the first 10 games and just when he was ready to return, Kubel went down and has been out for the last 13 games and counting. Eaton hasn’t played at all and is likely still out for two or three more weeks with an elbow strain. In case you aren’t counting along, that leaves Gerardo Parra as the only constant in this equation.

Diamondbacks center fielder Gerardo Parra scores on a single by center fielder A.J. Pollock in San Francisco. Image: Ed Szczepanski

And what a constant he’s been. Through 22 games, he’s hitting .315/.374/.461 primarily from the leadoff spot while continuing to play outstanding outfield defense. His OBP is jumpstarting the offense and he’s scored 15 runs already. Of his 28 hits, he’s racked up eight doubles, a triple and a homer, making good use of his gap power. He’s been the team’s most valuable position player thus far and it’s safe to say that they wouldn’t be battling for first in the division without him.

So what happens when Adam Eaton returns?

We have to assume that Ross will stay in right and Kubel will resume his duties in left when he’s healthy. That leaves centerfield as the only open slot on a regular basis. We’ve seen that Parra can definitely get the job done, but Eaton was supposed to be the new centerfield star before his injury. Assuming that Alfredo Marte and AJ Pollock both head back to the minors once everyone’s healthy, who goes to the bench, Eaton or Parra?

While Parra has been the super-sub the last few years, he’s 26 and hitting his prime. I’m not sure the team can afford to take his bat out of the lineup. Eaton was essentially promised a starting job, but Parra very well may have stolen it from him. Perhaps Eaton becomes the defensive substitute late in games, moving Kubel to the bench and Parra to left when the team has a lead late in games. And given the frail nature of Kubel and Ross, both of whom have missed their share of games to the DL over their careers and aren’t getting any younger, there will likely be starts to pick up along the way for whoever assumes the super-sub role.

We have a few more weeks to monitor this situation, but it’s looming on the horizon and might be the most important roster decision made by that point in time. Unless Parra plays his way out of the lineup between now and then, I can’t imagine Gibby yanking him from the lineup and putting him on the bench in favor of a guy who hasn’t played a regular season game this year. Maybe it’s just me, but Parra is likely the best option for the team in center given what he’s done to date, even when Eaton returns.

Maybe Parra will hit a slump. Maybe Eaton begins the year by hitting .350 when he makes it into the lineup and never looks back. Who knows what the future holds? All we know is what we’ve seen thus far, and thus far, Gerardo Parra has shown that he deserves to be a starter.

*Stats accessed 4/26 via FanGraphs

Cody Ross was tossed out of Saturday night’s game in Colorado. Image: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

There were some fireworks in the top of the seventh inning as Cody Ross was tossed out of the game by home plate umpire Chad Fairchild.  After being called out on strikes, Ross flipped his bat and helmet in disgust as he started to walk out to his position not realizing Fairchild had given him the thumb.  When Ross turned around, he exploded not believing he was just ejected from the game.  He was so irate that Kirk Gibson had to restrain his right fielder only to be tossed himself.  When you watch a clip of the video here, you will clearly see that Ross meant no disrespect toward Fairchild.  That was a needless hook by the ump who should have his conduct reviewed by Major League Baseball.

For the second straight series, the D’backs head into a finale looking to avoid getting swept.  Brandon McCarthy takes to the mound seeking his first victory with the Snakes as the Rockies counter with Juan Nicasio who hopes to stay undefeated.   After finishing up in Denver, the D’backs head to San Francisco to face the World Series Champion Giants.

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