The Arizona Diamondbacks came out on top of the Colorado Rockies in the National League Wild Card Game. The Diamondbacks defeated the Rockies 11-8 in what was a very tight ballgame most of the time.
How It Went Down
The game opened up with a bang. A three run home ru by first baseman Paul Goldschmidt put the Diamondback up 3-0 very early in the game. An inning later, shortstop Ketel Marte tripled, bringing home a run and putting Arizona up by four. While pitcher Jon Gray struggled early, throwing only one and a third innings, Zack Greinke had no problems in his first two innings. Due to Gray’s pitching, reliever Scott Oberg was brought into the game. Oberg did fine, leaving two men stranded on base. He was later replaced by Tyler Anderson, who gave up a hit and a two-run home run to Daniel Descalso, putting Arizona up 6-0.
Greinke hit a bump in the road. It all started with an RBI single by Gerardo Parra. He then gave up a single, a double, and a line out for a total of four runs against him. Greinke left the game after three and two thirds innings pitched. Andrew Chafin stifled Colorado’s offense for the last third of the frame. Chris Rusin then settled in on the mound for the Rockies in the fourth. Later, in the sixth inning, Rusin was replaced by Pat Neshek, who held the Diamondbacks in check. Charlie Blackmon brought one run to the plate with a bunt in the seventh, bringing the Rockies to withing 6-5.
The Key Hit
Archie Bradley came up big in an unexpected way, Bradley hit a two Rbi triple at the bottom of the seventh to give a Arizona an 8-5 advantage.
Going Down Fighting
Nolan Arenado homered opening the eight inning. Trevor Story made it back-to-back home runs and the Rockies once more made it a one-run game, this time at 8-7. The thread of a comeback was then stopped by Bradley on the mound.
The Final Charge
Neshek left the game after one and third innings of work. Greg Holland hoped to keep the score as it was to give his team a shot. Things did not go as planned. A.J. Pollock hit a two RBI triple to widen the score 10-7. Jeff Mathis then put the last nail on the coffin with an RBI bunt single that put them up 11-7. During the ninth inning, Carlos Gonzalez got an RBI single to give the Rockies one last run. Too little, too late.
The Arizona Diamondbacks will face the Los Angeles Dodgers this Friday in the NLDS.
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.