Dbacks Visit Mile High, Leave Under .500….Still

Arizona showed up in Colorado in the beginning of the week with aspirations of an even .500 record. A series victory of any kind would ensure that. Instead, the Dbacks left the Mile High City disappointed, losing 2 of 3 games. The Dbacks were plagued by the Rockies’ ability to produced crooked numbers in various innings. The Diamondbacks were able to go nuts in the 2nd game of the series.

108. 5. 8. Final. 10

Jun 25, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (44) in the ninth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. The Rockies defeated the Diamondbacks 6-4. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

The opener of the series extended a certain record to 0-10. It’s the “If you win this game you are now at .500” record and the Dbacks were now at 0-10. Chase Anderson got bed-rocked by the Rockies and the Dbacks couldn’t smack around Kyle Kendrick, as everyone thought they would. It was Anderson’s worst start of the season, for that (and because he’s been the rotation’s savior/game is at Coors Field) I’ll give him a pass.

In the 5th inning, the Rockies scored 6 runs, which at the time gave Colorado a nice 4 run lead. Homers by Welington Castillo, Nick Ahmed and A.J. Pollock couldn’t keep up with Colorado, who smacked 5 long balls of their own. Ahmed and David Peralta each had 3 hits in the game.

8. Final. 7. 108. 8

Jun 24, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (44) celebrates his score with pinch hitter Aaron Hill (2) in the ninth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. The Diamondbacks defeated the Rockies 8-7. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

It appeared that the Dbacks were on their way to another loss. After falling to a quick 3-0 deficit, the Dbacks fought back to tie the game. Those efforts were highlighted by back-to-back-to-back doubles. After a homer by Goldy, Arizona actually took the lead. However, Colorado struck again in the 5th inning, this time with only four runs. Arizona headed into the 9th inning trailing 7-5.

In the 9th, four consecutive hitters reached base (three singles and a walk). A hard fought walk and sacrifice fly later, Arizona had finished the destruction of closer John Axford. Allen Webster produced another sub par performance, further lighting a fire under his seat in the starting rotation. Yasmany Tomas produced a spectacular effort, going 4-for-5 with a double and a couple of runs.

6. 108. 4. 8. Final

Jun 25, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Rubby De La Rosa (12) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

It was another game that featured a heavy scoring output in a single inning. However, this time a great starting pitching performance was thrown by the De La Rosa’s. Rubby De La Rosa pitched 7 innings and only allowed one run. Good Rubby is so much more fun than Bad Rubby. Unfortunately, he had to settle for a no decision.

In the previous game, Daniel Hudson pitched a scoreless inning and had his ERA a shade over 3 runs. On this afternoon, he was woefully inefficient in protecting a 2-1 lead. Hudson surrendered 5 runs (3 earned) in 2/3 of an inning. By the time the 8th inning was over a 2-1 Dbacks lead turned into a 6-2 Rockies lead.

Arizona still tried to have some fun with Axford, who blew his first save of the season the night previous. Arizona tacked on a couple of runs, but that was all and the Dbacks suffered another loss. Pollock was the lone Diamondback to have a multi-hit game.

Players of the Series

  • David Peralta: 5-for-11, 3 R
  • A.J. Pollock: 5-for-14, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI, SB
  • Nick Ahmed: 4-for-11, 2 R, 2B, HR, 2 RBI

More from Venom Strikes