Diamondbacks Split Doubleheader, Win Series

May 25, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Chris Owings (16) is congratulated by third base coach Glenn Sherlock (53) on his home run during the first inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Diamondbacks wrapped up their road trip by playing a doubleheader against the New York Mets. The Snakes managed to gain a split on Sunday, enabling them to take two out of three in New York. Arizona stole Game 1 by a score of 2-1 while the Mets were victorious in the nightcap, 4-2.

Behind Bronson Arroyo and three relievers, the gloves got a big workout in the opener. The D’backs managed to turn five double plays. They needed every one of them as the offense managed only two hits off Mets’ rookie Rafael Montero, who was making his third career start. One of those hits was a solo home run bu Chris Owings giving Arizona a quick 1-0 lead. New York answered in the bottom of the frame when David Wright drove in Juan Lagares with a single. Both teams stayed dormant on the scoreboard with missed opportunities galore. In addition to all of the Mets’ double plays, the D’backs left runners on the corner in the third and the bases loaded in the eighth. In the ninth, New York finally cracked as Daniel Murphy dropped a throw at second, which would have been the third out and allowed A.J. Pollock to score the game-winning run. Addison Reed stranded two runners on base to pick up his 14th save. Evan Marshall notched his second Major League victory with another scoreless outing.

In Game 2, a recurring theme in 2014 once again reared its ugly head. The D’backs took an early lead that they could not sustain. In the second inning, Aaron Hill led off with a single and was driven home on a triple by Martin Prado. Cody Ross grounded out to score Prado and that was all the scoring the team could muster. Zeke Spruill kept the Mets at bay even though he gave up three runs on ten hits over 5 2/3 innings. Daisuke Matsuzaka kept Arizona off balance through six innings before his team took the lead for good in the bottom of the sixth. Trevor Cahill pitched two innings of relief and gave up the game’s final run in the eighth inning.

Arroyo left after only 75 pitches because of a tender elbow. He did not seem too concerned about it. Marshall has not been scored on during his 8 2/3 Major League innings. Spruill was the 26th man for Arizona today and will probably be back at Triple A Reno early this coming week.

The D’backs return home for a three game set against the San Diego Padres, starting Monday night.