Diamondbacks Finish Off Impressive Series Win Over Pirates
The Diamondbacks showed their resilience this weekend, pulling off an impressive road series win against the Pittsburgh Pirates. After taking a haymaker in the first game of the series, the team bounced back yesterday to even up the series. Today they finished off the Pirates, taking advantage of three errors and five wild pitches in a 8-3 win.
"That was a great series, we knew it was going to be a battle coming into it," said first baseman Walker. "When it's back-and-forth like that, to be able to answer that next half-inning, that's huge. Merrill [Kelly] wasn't happy with the way his day ended, but for us to go back out there and put another run up there late for him, that changes everything. That changes his day, changes the team's day."
Kelly expressed similar sentiments. "A really good team win. Today's a game that shows what type of team we are and what type of team we can be."
He looked like he was cruising to a quality start, taking a no-hitter into the fifth inning. With one out, the Pirates put together three straight hits that tied the game and threatened to take the lead. Kelly was able to make the key pitch when it mattered, ringing up Carlos Santana to escape the inning. That proved to be critical, as the D-backs took advantage of a pair of throwing errors to recapture the lead for good and give their starter a win.
In the sixth, Walker reached on a ground ball down the third base line that Ke'Bryan Hayes was unable to complete the throw across the diamond for an error. Lourdes Gurriel rolled a ball down the third base line on a check swing, and Pirates reliever Dauri Moreta airmailed the throw to first to allow Walker to score from second. Gurriel was credited for an infield single on the play, which extended his hitting streak to 14 games.
Another promising sign from this series is how rookie Corbin Carroll has been handling his first slump at the plate since entering pro ball. After showing signs of life in the Oakland series, he showcased all of his talents today. In the first inning, he hit a solo home run that put Arizona on the board. Then he showed off his speed with two stolen bases after drawing three walks in his final three trips to the plate. On the road trip, he is 6-for-18 with a pair of home runs, eight walks, and three stolen bases.
With a power hitter like Walker at the plate, it can be a difficult situation to risk outs in order to gain 90 feet. However the D-backs first baseman is all for Carroll creating more opportunities to score with his speed. "It's great, we had some conversations about it yesterday and we're talking about him stealing bags depending on the count that I'm in. I told him if there's any opportunity for you to get into scoring position with me at the plate, take it up. I want him to do what makes him valuable and what helps the team, we understand that helps everyone". Those stolen bases would prove to be critical, as Walker drove in three runs in his final two at-bats to ice the game.
Arizona's bullpen was able to bring this one home, firing four scoreless innings without giving up a base hit and striking out three. Pittsburgh native Scott McGough entered with a one-run lead and delivered a pair of scoreless frames that allowed the offense to put this one away late.
The D-backs are 4-2 after the first two series of this nine-game road trip and will fly to Philadelphia for three more. Left-hander Tommy Henry (1-1, 5.00 ERA) will face off against Phillies ace Zack Wheeler (3-3, 4.06 ERA) in the first game at Citizen's Bank Park. First pitch will be 3:40pm MST.
