Arizona Diamondbacks Game Recap: Diamondbacks Take Series Opener

Game Recap:

Rubby De La Rosa (2-0) allowed three runs over six innings and received plenty of offensive support to win game 1 of the series  8-4 at Petco Park. The victory halted the Padres’ 4-game winning streak.

Arizona Diamondbacks OF Ender Inciarte led the way on offense going 3 for 5, including two doubles and a triple with four RBI. OF David Peralta, OF Mark Trumbo and rookie third baseman Jake Lamb each added two hits.

Padres starter Andrew Cashner (0-2) actually had a very good outing, allowing 4 runs (all unearned) and striking out 9 batters over six innings.

The trouble came in the second inning. With two outs, the Diamondbacks scored their first run off of a throwing error by Padres second baseman Yangervis Solarte. The Diamondbacks followed up that play by putting together three straight hits, including a two-run double by Inciarte and Chris Owings’ RBI single.

The Diamondbacks scored another run in the seventh inning off a Paul Goldschmidt RBI groundout. The remaining runs would come in the eighth inning, from a Tuffy Gosewisch RBI single and a two-run RBI triple by Inciarte.

The Padres closest threat to get back into the game came in the fifth inning. De La Rosa started the inning by allowing a walk and a single. He was able to work his way out of the jam and San Diego was only able to put one run on the board in the inning.

Brad Ziegler, Evan Marshall and Daniel Hudson each pitched an inning in relief to close out the game for the Diamondbacks.

Thoughts and Observations:

Rubby De La Rosa is growing up before our eyes. While it may not show in the box score, this may have been one of the best outings of his career. De La Rosa showed a lot of grit in the pivotal fifth inning. The game easily could have gotten away from him, but he beared down and made the pitches he need to make to get the defense off the field before too much damage was done. These are the types of situations skippers love to see out of their starting pitchers.

Post Game Grades:

Next Up:

The Diamondbacks look to make it two straight against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Jeremy Hellickson faces Odrisamer Despaigne at 7:10 P.M.