D-backs Sweep Giants With 2011 Magic

The Arizona Diamondbacks completed a sweep of the San Francisco Giants today, with much of the same magic that took them to a 2011 NL West Division Championship in 2011. The Diamondbacks came from behind to win 42 times last year. It’s not easy to duplicate that from year-to-year, but they were able to do just that by winning 7-6 after falling to an early six-run deficit.

The D-backs fell behind quickly 6-0 to the Giants after Josh Collmenter was knocked around by the Giants after a pair of three-run innings in the second and third, including a two-run shot by Buster Posey to cap the scoring.

The Giants never lost a game when scoring six runs last year; but, the D-backs came from six run deficits to win two times last year. So, the “never say die” attitude of the D-backs showed up once again.

Wade Miley relieved Collmenter in the fourth inning and went on to pitch four shutout innings even though the D-backs committed four errors behind him. It was a marvelous showing for Miley.

The D-backs were able to support Miley on the offensive side, though, with a pair of runs in the fourth on a Lyle Overbay double to right field to score Miguel Montero and Chris Young.

It looked like the D-backs were going to be held down after that though with Cain throwing a perfect fifth and getting two quick outs sandwiching a walk to Montero in the sixth. But Ryan Roberts, like he did so many times last year, came through in a big way with a two-run home run to put the D-backs within two runs, 6-4.

Overbay then followed that up with a solo shot on the very next pitch from Cain. It was now 6-5 and the D-backs had all of the momentum. But they still needed one more run and bullpen stalwarts David Hernandezand JJ Putz were not available to pitch after each throwing in the first two games of the series.

But the pressure was already put on the Giants and they began to crumble. Jason Kubel led off the seventh with his first hit as a Diamondback with a sharp line drive single to right field. After Willie Bloomquist grounded into a fielder’s choice and a pair of walks to Aaron Hill and Justin Upton, the bases were loaded for Montero.

Montero promptly hit a sharp ground ball to Giants’ shortstop Brandon Crawford who looked to have a tailor made double play ball. But he fumbled the ball and allowed Bloomquist to score and everybody was safe.

Then Posey made his own mistake when Young looked to have grounded into a force out at home but Posey’s foot was never on the plate, allowing Hill to score for a 7-6 lead.

It was a very mystifying mistake on Posey’s part and I have to wonder if it had anything to do with being a bit cautious around the plate after last season’s devastating injury.

Nevertheless, the damage was done and the Giants were unable to overcome the mistakes and lost.

It is a big series sweep for the D-backs. They have already established that they still are the team to beat in the NL West and that last season’s magic has not dissipated over the offseason.

Bryan Shaw picked up the save for the D-backs as Putz and Hernandez were unavailable and Miley earned the win.