Diamondbacks Split Two-Game Series with Rangers
Well, hopefully you didn’t blink because if you did then you most likely missed the quick two-game set between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Texas Rangers on Tuesday and Wednesday. Both teams came away with a victory in the early-season inter-league matchup.
Nick Martinez lined up on the bump against Chase Anderson in the series-opener and it rapidly turned into a pitcher’s duel despite both teams scratching across a run through the first two innings.
With the score knotted up at 1-1 entering the third inning, Martinez and Anderson settled into a groove and cruised through the middle part of the ball game before handing things off to their respective bullpens. Both Martinez and Anderson would finish with no-decisions despite their terrific performances.
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It was a 1-1 game in the top of the 8th inning, but the Rangers put up a four-spot in the inning with half of the runs coming on a two-run jack to deep right-field by Prince Fielder for his first home run of the year.
Texas added some insult to injury by adding an additional two runs in the top of the ninth inning. The Rangers would set the Diamondbacks down with ease in the bottom half of the inning to seal a 7-1 victory in game one.
Game two of the series went in the way of the Diamondbacks and up-and-coming ace, Archie Bradley. In his third start of his major league career, Bradley opposed the easiest of his competitors on the mound after taking on Clayton Kershaw and Madison Bumgarner in his first two starts.
Apr 22, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Archie Bradley (25) throws a warm up pitch against the Texas Rangers at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Bradley took on Yovani Gallardo on Wednesday and was extremely wild. The right-handed hurler walked five batters, but was able to go complete six innings while only allowing two hits and one earned run.
The offense provided plenty of firepower for Bradley as they put up eight runs for the youngster. Chris Owings hit his first home run of the year in the fourth inning and would later hit a triple in the seventh inning. Mark Trumbo went 2-for-4 and added two RBIs to the Diamondbacks’ offensive cause.
The bullpen almost gave the game away in the ninth inning however as the 8-1 advantage was cut to an 8-5 final due to the Rangers’ rally which included a solo home run from Adrian Beltre.
The Diamondbacks improved to 8-7 following Wednesday’s ball game. Arizona will have a day off on Thursday before welcoming Andrew McCutchen and the Pittsburgh Pirates into town for a three-game weekend series at Chase Field.