Diamondbacks 8, Phillies 4: Offense Carries the Day

Both Vince Velasquez and Robbie Ray made quick work of the first inning. Velaszuez got a strike out, ground out, and a pop out to finish the Diamondbacks off, while Ray struck out the side. Velazquez then turned around and struck out the side in the top of the second on ten pitches. Ray didn't do nearly as well in the bottom of the inning, but worked around a lead off walk and a one out single to leave the game scoreless.

The pitcher’s duel ended there. Alex Avila, the much-maligned, lead off the third with a home run and was immediately followed by a Jarrod Dyson home run, giving the Dbacks a 2-0 lead.

It wouldn’t last long, as Ray had a mini meltdown in the bottom of the inning that triggered several meltdowns in the GDT. A lead off walk to Cesar Hernandez followed by a Carlos Santana single started things off. Scott Kingery struck out, but Rhys Hoskins walked to load the bases with only one out. Aaron Altherr, the Phillies centerfielder, knocked a double to right to score two, and Maikel Franco hit a sac fly to score a third. 3-2 Phillies

Believe it or not, that was the only time the Phillies would have the lead tonight. Both teams went down in order in the fourth inning, with Robbie Ray once again striking out the side, his second time tonight for those keeping track.

In the fifth, the Dbacks began the process of burying the Phils. Ahmed walked, Avila, cursed be his name, singled, and Dyson drew a walk to load the bases without any outs. Much to the surprise and chagrin of many, Ray was allowed to hit for himself. He struck out. However, David Peralta did not and doubled, driving in Ahmed and Avila. Marte flew out, but that ended Velasquez’ day. He was replaced by Victor Arano who struck out Paul Goldschmidt to end the inning. 4-3 Dbacks

Most of us in the GDT were surprised when the game was allowed to continue after the end of the fifth. Perhaps it was just us thinking wishfully, wanting an easy win for the Dbacks, but the rain was coming down in sheets. But the game did go on.

Avila, kicker of puppies, got another RBI in the top of the sixth. Philadelphia got that run right back in the bottom of the inning. Cesar Hernandez got an RBI single following a lead off single and a two out HBP. 5-4 Dbacks

And that was as close as the Phillies ever got again. Arizona wasn’t done yet, though. Fast forward to the eighth inning. Paul Goldschmidt lead off with a single. Thanks to some heads up base running, he stole second while Pollock was at bat and took third when catcher Jorge Alfaro threw the ball away. Pollock singled him home, and then stole second himself during Descalso’s at bat. He also had a steal of third well in hand, but instead of letting him steal the base, Descalso homered instead. I guess that works instead. 8-4 Dbacks

The Dbacks loaded the bases in the ninth, but Descalso grounded into an inning-ending double play. It didn’t matter, as Jorge de la Rosa and T.J. McFarland had clean eighth and ninth innings to wrap things up.

⋆⋆⋆ Alex Avila, 39.1% WPA

⋆⋆ David Peralta 11.7% WPA, Jarrod Dyson 11.4% WPA

⋆ Yoshi Hirano 10.9% WPA

A good GDT with over 1000 comments on the evening, but the roll call thread seems to be broken, so complete numbers will have to come later. Comment of the Night actually comes from the preview, courtesy of twice-banned troll, Bartman’s Goat

Holy [censored]

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

David Peralta – LF

Ketel Marte – 2B

Paul Goldschmidt – 1B

A.J. Pollock – CF

Daniel Descalso – 3B

Nick Ahmed – SS

Alex Avila – C

Jarrod Dyson – RF

Robbie Ray – LHP

this is an actual major league lineup? Hahahaahahahaha. Didn’t know you were allowed to fit 6 automatic outs in one of these things.

Impressive stuff.

Posted by Bartman’sGoat on Apr 24, 2018 | 3:40 PM reply rec (1)

Not positive who the ‘six automatic outs’ are, but my best guess says that those automatic outs went 6-for-20 with four walks, five RBI, and two HR. Not going to miss that guy.

Same 4:05 start time tomorrow, with what should be a great pitching matchup in Grienke versus Arrieta. See you there!