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Diamondbacks Overpower Rockies in Series Win

By Guillermo Salcido

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The Arizona Diamondbacks got a much needed series victory over the Colorado Rockies. Arizona was able to take two of three games from their NL West opponent and were able to keep pace in the young division race.

The Diamondbacks hitters were able to not only hang with the Rockies, but towards the end overtake them. The series had no shortage of stars and the competition for playing time has only raised their level of play.

Monday

Colorado-5 Arizona-4

The series didn’t start on the right foot for the Diamondbacks. On Monday, Colorado defeated Arizona to send them to their fourth straight loss. In the first inning, Justin Morneau smacked a 3-run homer to give the Rockies an early 3- run advantage. After two innings, Colorado hitters had already amassed 6 hits and tacked on another run against starter Chase Anderson.

Apr 27, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Tuffy Gosewisch (9) hits an RBI ground out during the sixth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

In the bottom of the fifth inning the Diamondbacks were able to find the scoreboard. Ender Inciarte and A.J. Pollock were able to drive in Tuffy Gosewisch and Nick Ahmed. This would momentarily cut the deficit to two and make the game 4-2. However, in the sixth, the Rockies chased Anderson out of the game while tacking on another run.

Later in the sixth, Gosewisch would end up driving in Yasmany Tomas to maintain the deficit at two. In the bottom of the eight, Mark Trumbo scored on a fielding error. However, Rockies closer John Axford was able to deny a 9th inning rally to give Colorado the first game of the series.

Anderson (0-1) gave up 8 hits and 5 earned runs while striking out 4 in his 5 1/3 innings of work. Tyler Matzek (2-0) gave up 5 hits and 2 earned runs while striking out 3 in his 5 innings of work. Axford collected his third save of the season.

Apr 27, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (44) hits a single against the Colorado Rockies at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Top hitter for the Diamondbacks were Paul Goldschmidt, who went 3-for-5, and Mark Trumbo, who went 2-for-4 with a run scored. Besides Morneau’s homer, Colorado was powered by Corey Dickerson, who went 3-for-5 with an RBI, and Charlie Blackmon, who went 2-for-5.

Tuesday

Colorado-5 Arizona-12

The Diamondbacks hitters woke up in a giant way during the last two games. On Tuesday, Arizona tallied a total of 15 hits and went 5-for-11 with runners in scoring position. The biggest takeaway from this contest, however, was the well being of one Archie Bradley.

In the bottom of the first inning the Diamondbacks first four hitters all grabbed hits. Goldschimdt’s single brought in Pollock and Trumbo’s triple would bring in Goldy and Chris Owings. This would only mark the beginning of Goldschmidt and Trumbo’s domination of the game.

All would be halted in the top of the second inning. A Carlos Gonzlaez line drive connected with Bradley’s face and the latter would need to be removed from the game. It was a blessing that Bradley was able to walk off the field and the 15-day DL stint only seems precautionary. Anyways, Archie seems to be in good spirits.

The game would continue and in the top of the fourth, Colorado was able to tie the game at 3. Doubles from starting pitcher Kyle Kendrick and Charlie Blackmon were enough to propel the Rockies back in the game. Troy Tulowitzki would end up driving in Blackmon.

The bottom of the fourth saw the Diamondbacks take back the lead. After a Trumbo single, David Peralta was able hit his third home run of the season to give Arizona a 5-3 lead. The offensive onslaught would continue in the bottom of the fifth.

Apr 28, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Mark Trumbo against the Colorado Rockies at Chase Field. The Diamondbacks defeated the Rockies 12-5. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

After a Goldschmidt double, Trumbo smacked his second home run of the season. Trumbo would only need a double to complete the cycle. Peralta would double right after him and would come around to score on a fielder’s choice. The score was now at 8-3 in Arizona’s favor.

The bottom of the eighth saw Arizona manufacture their third 3-run inning of the game. Aaron Hill started things off with a single and would score on Inciarte’s double. Pollock and Inciarte would both score on Goldy’s double, his second of the game. The game would mercifully end at 12-5.

Andrew Chafin (1-0) relieved Bradley and would be credited with his first major league victory. Daniel Hudson, Oliver Perez, Brad Ziegler and Addison Reed would all lend their services in this complete team victory. Kyle Kendrick (1-3) continues his early season struggles.

Goldschmidt went 3-for-5 with 3 RBI and two doubles. Trumbo had an absolute day at the plate with a 4-for-4 outing the included 3 runs, 4 RBI, a triple and a home run. Tomas went 2-for-3 with an RBI and Peralta went 2-for-4 with 2 runs and 2 RBI.

Wednesday

Colorado-1 Arizona-9

The rubber match of the series was a pleasant one for Arizona. Wednesday would see Arizona grab an even more complete victory. The D’Backs faithful were treated to an outstanding pitching performance and the continuation of some hot bats.

The first inning would see Colorado grab their first and only lead of the game. After a Tulowitzki double, the inning was extended by a fielding error. Nolan Arenado would drive in Tulowitzki for a quick 1-0 lead.

The bottom of the first saw the Diamondbacks gain the lead. Inciarte and Goldschmidt both singled to start the game and Inciarte would end up scoring after stealing third base and advancing to home after a throwing error. Goldy would score on a Trumbo base hit.

Apr 29, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Yasmany Tomas (24) hits a two RBI single during the fifth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

All was quiet until the fifth inning, where the Diamondbacks exploded for 5 runs. Inciarte, Goldschmidt and Peralta all walked in the inning. With the bases loaded, Tomas came through with a 2-run single. Jordan Pacheco would then hit a 3-run homer to open the game up.

Tomas would drive in Peralta, who had doubled, in the seventh inning. Goldschmidt drove in Hill in the bottom of the eighth inning. The score would stay at 9-1 to end the game. The victory clinched the series for Arizona.

Josh Collmenter (2-3) provided a masterful outing in a bounce back effort. He gave up 5 hits and no earned runs (1 unearned) in 8 innings, while striking out 6. Jordan Lyles (2-2) gave up 8 hits and 6 earned runs in 5 innings.

Apr 29, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Josh Collmenter (55) throws during the second inning against the Colorado Rockies at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Goldschmidt went 3-for-4 with 2 runs and an RBI. Tomas went 2-for-4 with a run and 3 RBI. Pacheco went 2-for-4 with a 3-run home run. Peralta went 1-for-1 with 2 runs and 3 walks. Inciarte scored twice. There were no shortage of heroes.

The Outfield competition for playing time saw Inciarte, Pollock and Peralta all receive two starts. In the series Inciarte went 3-for-10, with 3 runs and 2 RBI. Pollock went 2-for-10 with 2 runs and an RBI. Peralta went 3-for-6 with 4 runs, 2 RBI, a homer and 3 walks.

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The series has to be considered a success as the bats finally woke up. On two occasions the Diamondbacks got double-digit hits. Arizona (10-11) will now head to Los Angeles to take on the NL West division leading Dodgers.

Series Studs

Paul Goldschmidt- 9-for-14, 4 runs, 4 RBI, 2 Doubles

Mark Trumbo- 7-for-12, 4 runs, 5 RBI, 2 Doubles, 1 Triple, 1 Home Run

Yasmany Tomas- 4-for-10, 2 runs, 4 RBI, 1 Double

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