Diamondbacks 4, Giants 2: Parra Gonna Throw You Out

Record: 71-68. Pace: 83-79. Change on last year: +3.

In the early-middle part of the game, it almost seemed like the Diamondbacks would drop this game in a frustrating manner. Pablo Sandoval advanced to home plate and was tagged out by Miguel Montero twice, and the umpire still called him safe. Not only did this put the Giants up 2-0, but Kirk Gibson was thrown out of the game as well.

You probably can guess that the above scene happened in the dread fourth inning, but the good news is the Diamondbacks didn't set back on their heels. For, you see, the Diamondbacks had other plans:

I call this

the Revenge of the Fifth.

Will buy dinner for next D-back to convert 10 straight save opportunities.
Disclaimer: When I use #Grit, assume sarcasm

by preston.salisbury on Sep 6, 2013 | 12:04 AM reply unrec (2) actions

After getting two quick outs, the Diamondbacks went to work. The rally started with an Adam Eaton double, and then he was joined on the bases with a Willie Bloomquist walk. Paul Goldschmidt (who else?) then knocked a two RBI double. Martin Prado would step up to the plate next, and he too hit a double. Aaron Hill was next in line, and he added his own RBI, though with a single. Overall, the D-backs scored 4 runs with 2 outs, and had the lead.

Trevor Cahill didn't get very deep into the game, but between his work and the bullpen, Arizona was able to piece together a more than passable pitching effort. He gave up 6 hits and 4 walks in those 5 innings along with the 2 runs, so the damage probably should have been worse, but I'm not going to complain. His short outing could have been partially been because of his 1 day rest relief appearance on the 24th.

Ryan Vogelsong did little better, getting knocked out after only 4 2/3 innings, giving up 8 hits and 3 walks, while giving up 4 runs. Gone is the Vogelsong that gave Arizona fits and starts in 2011 and 2012. Like many of the other Giants pitchers, he has been exposed to be disappointingly human.

The D-backs managed to hold it the rest of the way, but the game wasn't without its other pockets of excitement. Gerardo Parra should have had 3 great throws to get advancing runners, but one was called safe in the home plate scenario described above. Another one was also at home plate, Brandon Crawford the victim, and the third was Brandon Belt trying to get a double.

Really, people. Stop trying to advance on Parra. He's gonna get you.

Gerardo Parra is kind of a butthead.

— Grant Brisbee (@mccoveychron) September 6, 2013

Aaron Hill also had a couple great defensive plays. The first came in the 7th inning with two runners on base on a pop up that seemed to be just beyond his range, but he hustled out and caught it on a nice jumping catch, then turned around and doubled up the runner on first to end the inning. The second was in the 9th, as he dived to his left and stopped Gregor Blanco from getting on base to lead off the inning.

Brad Ziegler came in to close out the game, and it was largely uneventful. Groundout, unassisted putout at first for Goldschmidt, and , and that was it.

Hot Hot Hot: Paul Goldschmidt (20.3%)

Not as Hot: Matt Davidson (-7.9%)

Not a busy GDT, but that's not shocking given the Diamondbacks are in that weird limbo non-playoff teams fall in at the end of the season. Also, handegg was on the telly, both No Fun League and Andre Ethier's Alma Mater, so not shocked that there were only a little more than 300 comments. Participants included: BulldogsNotZags, Clefo, Dbacks4eva10101, Diamondhacks, FatBoysEatMeat, GODSCHMIDT, GuruB, Husk, Jim McLennan, Rockkstarr12, TolkienBard, TucsonPete, Zavada's Moustache, asteroid, azshadowwalker, ford.williams.10, hotclaws, kishi, onedotfive, preston.salisbury, soco, and txzona.

Another day, another Giants game tomorrow. First pitch is against 7:15pm, so tune in, or something.