Are the Diamondbacks the most fun team in baseball?

Bunt singles, stolen bases, clutch home runs, catches that cause you to flip over the wall, you name it and this D-backs team has probably done it in 2023.  Tuesday’s win against the Padres was no exception, in fact, it might be a little while before we see as exciting of a game as we did yesterday.

Coming off a heartbreaking loss on Monday night, the Diamondbacks responded in a big way.  According to Statcast, after falling behind 3-0 through 4 innings, the Diamondbacks had a 10% chance of winning the game.  Arizona laughed and proceeded to play their style of baseball.

What’s the Diamondbacks style?  Winning in unique ways.  Beating you with the immense athleticism they possess.  Trailing 3-0 in the score column, Josh Rojas got Arizona on the board with a sac fly in the top of the 5th; but then in the bottom of that inning, newly acquired San Diego shortstop Xander Bogaerts clobbered a 2-run shot making it a 5-1 game.  Arizona’s chances of winning trailing by 4 after 5 innings… 7%.  

Still laughing, Diamondbacks backup shortstop Geraldo Perdomo smoked a ball into right field with two outs in the top of the 6th.  Right fielder David Dahl dove for it but it popped out of his glove and fell onto the outfield grass.  Jake McCarthy scored from second, and Alek Thomas scored from first.  The score is now 5-3, and the D-backs chances of winning… 19%.

After Perdomo’s 2-run double, Jose Herrera walked, and then leadoff hitter Josh Rojas singled into right field, scoring Perdomo from second.  All of the sudden, it’s a 1 run game and the Diamondbacks chances of winning are now 33%.

The 8th inning is where things got really interesting.  To lead off the inning, Jake the Snake hits a single into left field.  He then proceeds to steal 2nd, and then Alek Thomas does his job and gets McCarthy to 3rd on a ground out.  I know Thomas got out, but in baseball, there is such a thing as a productive out, and that is exactly what Thomas did there.  No doubt in my mind, he was getting high fives and pats on the back from everyone in the dugout.

With McCarthy on 3rd, and 1 out in the inning, Perdomo plays a little small ball.  On a 2-1 count, Perdomo lays down a beautiful bunt to the right side of the infield.  First baseman Matt Carpenter tries to pick it up but to no avail.  Jake scores and Perdomo is safe at first.  Beautiful beautiful beautiful small ball.  Arizona’s chances of winning now… 50%.

Perdomo would then steal 2nd and score on a base hit by Jose Herrera; giving the Diamondbacks their first lead of the game.  After a Josh Rojas walk and a Ketel Marte single, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. would hit a sac fly, padding the Diamondbacks lead to 2; after the sac-fly, another very interesting thing happened.  With runners on the corners and two outs Ketel Marte takes off for 2nd base on an attempted steal; but wait, he stops halfway there?!  Yes, intentionally.

As the catcher Austin Nola throws down to second, Josh Rojas breaks for the plate and scores on the double steal!  Are you kidding me?!  Is this high school baseball or the big leagues?  I love it, and so does everyone else that watches baseball!  Unless you are a Padres fan of course.  The Dimaondbacks scored 4 in the top of the 8th and after 7 ½ innings, D-backs led 8-5.  Chances of winning now… 93%.

Drey Jameson would go on to record a 2-inning save to close out what was a wild 8-6 Diamondbacks victory.  The Diamondbacks next game will be their home opener against the Dodgers.  The game will be on April 6th and the first pitch will be at 7:10 MST.

Diamondbacks 3 stars from Tuesday's victory

Geraldo Perdomo: 1-1 - 1 BB - 3 runs - 3 RBIs - 1 SB
Drey Jameson: 2.0 IP - 2 Ks - 1 Save
Josh Rojas: 3-3 - 1 BB - 1 run - 2 RBIs - 1 SB