D-backs Cannot Overcome Missed Opportunities In First Loss Of 2024

After scoring 23 runs in their first two games, the D-backs failed to cash in on their opportunities in their first loss of the season to the Rockies.

Mar 30, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Colorado Rockies shortstop Ezequiel Tovar (14) crosses home plate after hitting a two-run home run off Tommy Henry in the second inning. / Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

In the Diamondbacks' first two games of the 2024 season, they outscored the Colorado Rockies 23-4. In those two games, they got the big hit when they needed it, but that was not the case Saturday night. Arizona failed to capitalize with runners in scoring position, going 1-for-10 and leaving nine runners on base. That came back to bite them when the Rockies scored five runs in the 5th to take control of the game, handing the D-backs their first loss of the year, 9-4.

It was not a well-pitched game for either team, with the two teams combining for 349 pitches and 15 walks. D-backs pitchers walked six tonight, with three coming around to score. What hurt about those walks was four came to the Rockies' bottom two hitters, Elehuris Montero and Brenton Doyle. Montero, who had 23 walks in 498 career plate appearances (4.6%), walked three times tonight and scored two runs.

"We didn't pitch the ball that well today," said D-backs manager Torey Lovullo. "When you get good pitching, it makes the game flow. The position players get into a rhythm when you're in and out of the dugout, you're on and off the field. It wasn't flowing the way it has been over the past couple of days."

Tommy Henry looked excellent for his first 27 pitches of the game. He cruised through the first five hitters and had a 1-2 count on Elias Diaz. However he failed to finish the at-bat, leaving a changeup up in the zone that was hit for a single, and that break in his rhythm opened up the floodgates. Ezequiel Tovar crushed an 0-1 pitch for a home run and Henry was on the back foot for the rest of his start. He finished with five runs allowed in four-plus innings, allowing six hits, walking two, and striking out four.

"Didn't get the job done, the ultimate job done," said Henry. "Didn't get the shutdown inning when our offense scored, didn't do a good job of getting the leadoff guy out, and there was a stark difference in between the results of when I was ahead in the count and when I was behind. I'll look at it tomorrow, do some more processing, and we'll go from there."

Henry faced the first three batters of the 5th, failing to retire any of them. A walk and a sharply-hit single put the Rockies in prime position for a big inning with the lineup turning over for the third time. Blackmon doubled down the right field line to spell the end of Henry's night with the D-backs trailing 4-3. There wasn't more relief in the inning, as Luis Frias walked Kris Bryant then served up a two-run triple to Nolan Jones to put the Rockies up three. By the time Frias completed the inning, Arizona was trailing by four with only five trips to the plate.

The game could not have started better for the D-backs. Ketel Marte walked and Corbin Carroll singled to start the ball game, putting the Lourdes Gurriel Jr. in position to do damage. Gurriel did just that, splitting the right-center gap for an RBI double. A Gabriel Moreno groundout scored another run, making the third straight night Arizona scored two runs in the bottom of the first. Unfortunately, that was the high point for the game, as they failed to do more damage against Rockies left-hander Austin Gomber.

Despite being gifted nine walks on the night, four double plays scuttled any chance to build any offensive momentum. It marked the second time that's happened in franchise history, the last time being the 18-inning game in Philadelphia back in 2013.

In the fifth inning, Gurriel launched a home run for the third straight game. That made him the first time a Diamondback has homered in each of his first three games of the season. That also set a franchise record for most RBI in a player's first three games with eight.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. keeps hitting high majestic homers. First #Dback to homer in each of first three games of the year.
pic.twitter.com/keXQ89ixwf

— Jack Sommers (@shoewizard59) March 31, 2024

"Everything is in a very strong hitting position and he's making good swing decisions," said Lovullo. "I don't think he tries to hit home runs. I think all good hitters don't try to hit home runs, they get off a little extra carry with their finish and they end up hitting home runs. He's not a slugger, he's an excellent hitter that can hit a home run on any pitch and at time. It's translating right now and it's fun to watch."

The D-backs will have another chance to win the series tomorrow. Right-hander Brandon Pfaadt takes the mound for Arizona while the Rockies will counter with Ryan Feltner. First pitch at Chase Field is scheduled for 1:10 PM MST.