Eric Chavez homer leads Diamondbacks to home series win
By Joseph Jacquez
May 18, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eric Chavez (12) runs the bases after hitting a home run in the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
I cant believe I’m saying this, but an opposing team actually left Chase Field with a loss, and even more surprising it was the Dodgers. The Dbacks clinched their first home series win of the 2014 campaign with a 5-3 victory over L.A on Sunday afternoon in front of a crowd over over 30,000 at Chase Field. The Dbacks are now 6-4 in their last 10 games, are 9-6 in the month of May, and have won four of their past five series.
The Dbacks capitalized on momentum from the previous night and pounded Dan Haren early and often. Gibson talked about his team gaining momentum with MLB.com: “We got into this series and kind of got a little momentum last night. It was good for us,” D-backs manager Kirk Gibson said. “The thing about last night’s game, unless you play good tonight, it doesn’t really mean anything.”
Dbacks hitters picked right up where they left off Saturday pounding out 11 hits against the Dodgers, including 10 off losing pitcher and former Diamondback Dan Haren. The Dodgers struck first blood jumping out to an early lead on a Hanley Ramirez home run, but like they have been doing lately, the team in sedona red came right back and scored in the second thanks to Dodger mistakes.
The Dodgers along with the Snakes are one of the worst fielding teams in the majors and it showed in that inning. Cody Ross started the inning hitting a line drive to right fielder Yasiel Puig. He misread the direction of the ball and couldn’t corral it. The official scorer ruled that it was a hit to everybody’s surprise but Arizona capitalized on the mistake anyway. Two batters later Ramirez committed a throwing error allowing Ross to score. He was trying to finish off a double play.
The Dodgers didn’t go away however. Adrian Gonzalez launched a two-run homer to put the Dodgers in front 3-1. Gonzalez who has been cold all series was due for a breakout against the Dbacks, especially at Chase Field. After the HR he now has 21 career HR and 81 career RBI’s against the Snakes which leads all active players. After the home run Dbacks starter Josh Collmenter settled down pitching 2 and two thirds scoreless innings to pick up his second win.
Ross tied the game at 3 in the fourth inning hitting his first home run of the season that bounced just off the batters eye in center field. Ross hasn’t broken out yet since returning from the D.L, but he went 2 for 3 with an RBI and two runs scored and he might be heating up. In the 4th, Chavez stepped up to the plate and like he has done so many times delivered off the bench with a two run pinch hit home run to give the Dbacks a two run lead at the time. That would end up being the deciding blow.
Oliver Perez, Evan Marshall, Brad Ziegler, and Addison Reed combined to keep the Dodgers offense scoreless the rest of the game, with Reed picking up his 12th save. The Dbacks have struggled against L.A all season but a series win against their arch rival has to feel good. The Dbacks have an off day today and they fly to St. Louis to start a three game series with the Cardinals on Tuesday night, the opening game of a six game, two city road trip. Bronson Arroyo goes for Arizona, and Adam Wainwright goes for St. Louis.