Corbin Carroll's First Ever Walk-Off Delivers Series Sweep
With a beaming smile from ear to ear, Corbin Carroll confessed to never having had a walk off hit in his life, even in little league. That chance came today with runners on second and third two out in the bottom of the ninth inning, and he Diamondbacks trailing the Rockies 4-3. He did not disappoint, delivering a double into the left center field gap to walk off the Rockies 5-4 and complete a four game sweep.
With the win the D-backs are now tied for first place in the NL West with the idle Los Angeles Dodgers, at 34-23.
Carroll had been 0-4 in the game to that point. With first base open and a right-handed hitter in Christian Walker on deck, there was some question as to whether or not Bud Black should have let closer Pierce Johnson intentionally walk Carroll. Johnson has reverse splits however, with better numbers against left hand batters than right, and also Christian Walker has hit over .300 with 18 homers in his career vs. Colorado. So Black had his closer take his chances with Carroll. The 22-year-old rookie proved he is up to the moment, delivering the game winner.
The Diamondbacks offense had been frustrated by Connor Seabold through the first five innings. The Rockies starter was ahead of hitters all game, throwing 13 of 18 first pitch strikes and giving up just three hits through he first five innings. He got out of a 2nd and 3rd, one-out jam in the 5th by getting Jose Herrera and Pavin Smith to strike out looking. The frustration had been building and after the Smith strikeout to end the inning bench coach Jeff Banister got thrown out of the game by home plate umpire Marvin Hudson. Torey Lovullo conceded those pitches were all strikes however.
Zach Davies pitched well, getting into the sixth inning, giving up three runs on seven hits, a walk and four strikeouts. He threw 96 pitches and left the game with 2 outs in the sixth trailing 2-0. Slumping reliever Kyle Nelson gave up a base hit to drive in an inherited runner, resulting in the third run charged to Davies
As they have done so many times this season the Diamondbacks answered back in their half of the 6th. Ketel Marte started it with a leadoff walk, extending his on base streak to 30 straight games. After Carroll flew out to center Christian Walker singled, bringing up Lourdes Gurriel Jr, who delivered a big two run double into the left field corner. Lovullo said after the game that hit energized the team and was the big turning point and momentum shift.
Nelson gave up a homer to rookie shortstop Ezequiel Tovar in the 7th, extending the Rockies lead to 4-2. The D-backs answered back once again with a run on an RBI double from Marte in their half of the frame. The score stayed 4-3 heading to the bottom of the 9th. Gabriel Moreno drew a one out walk, and Evan Longoria flew out to deep center as the D-backs were down to their last out. Marte laced his second double of the game into the gap in right center, sending Moreno to third and setting up Carroll's walk off opportunity.
Jose Ruiz and Kevin Ginkel each pitched a scoreless inning, keeping the game close and giving the team a chance to come back. It was a team effort to come back and Carroll talked about what it's like playing with this group.
The first place Diamondbacks will now host on the first place Atlanta Braves, who hold a 3.5 game lead over the New York Mets in the NL East. Game time is 6:40 P.M. MST. Merrill Kelly pitches for the Diamondbacks and Charlie Morton will go for the Braves.
