Arizona Diamondbacks 5, Colorado Rockies 3: Young Snakes come up big

After a terrible series at home against the San Francisco Giants, the Arizona Diamondbacks started slow however brought the bats out and took advantage of a lost no-hitter from the Colorado Rockies. The young stars of the team came up in a huge way and allowed the 1 step forward-1 step backwards Diamondbacks to start off on the right foot.

Until the bottom of the sixth, this game was a pitcher’s duel. Chi-Chi Gonzalez of the Colorado Rockies dominated the Arizona Diamondbacks. Gonzalez utilized his fastball mostly mixing the two seamer with his four seamer. It worked, a first-inning walk to Ketel Marte was the only base runner of his first five innings. Zac Gallen also brought the heat despite a Trevor Story walk and a Nolan Arenado single in the first. Gallen’s changeup and fastball paired well together throughout this game, the former getting Daneil Murphy to ground into an inning ending double play.

Gallen and Gonzalez were masterful. Gallen got soft contact outs and some pure heaters for strikeouts; Gonzalez was the opposite as the Diamondbacks hitters were hungry to take advantage. However, they were not able to do much with him, for quite a while.

The fourth inning would begin the scoring, despite the inning starting well for Gallen with two strikeouts on 9 pitches from an over powering fastball. The issues came when Daniel Murphy, Raimel Tapia and Ryan McMahon reached on a walk, single and walk respectively. Another walk, to Tony Wolters, brought Daniel Murphy home although the inning would eventually end with a Garret Hampson strikout. The fifth inning was rocky as well; however Gallen showed poise and resolve as he escaped a bases loaded jam utilizing his easy 94 mph fastball.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Diamondbacks broke through. Carson Kelly continued his great season with a single to center to end Gonzalez’s no-hit bid. Two outs later, a tank shot by Ketel Marte soared over the pool, and gave the home team a 2-1 lead. The eighth inning saw both teams trade runs. Andrew Chafin was brought in for Kevin Ginkel, who had tossed a scoreless seventh. However, Chafin was removed after three singles in four batters, including a Tony Wolters hit which tied the game. Yoan Lopez entered and took care of business, and the tie proved short-liced. For the bottom half of the inning began with a bang as Carson Kelly soared a 81.1 mph knuckle curve to souvenirsville.

Jarrod Dyson would single and steal second, allowing Eduardo Escobar to draw a great walk. David Peralta would triple down a barren right field line to score two runs.

With the pitching going well for the Arizona Diamondbacks, the entry of Archie Bradley raised concerns for this Monday Recapper. Given that Nolan Arenado humbles Archie Bradley a lot....in big games....no matter what....raised a lot of concerns. Bradley pitched well as Ian Desmond popped out to Ketel Marte. Bradley brought the heat and mixing elevations, but Charlie Blackmon hooked a 95 mph four seamer down the line that went out in an absolute hurry. After a Trevor Story strikeout, Nolan Arenado walked to the plate, but Archie got his nemesis to hit a high pop up down the left field line, and end the game.

All in all the Diamondbacks stayed in the game, something that many thought would not be the case given how they’ve played recently. Zac Gallen continues to pitch well however the walks are an issue. Carson Kelly looks to be the real deal and can hopefully ascend into an All-Star. The biggest thing to look out for is how many steps this team takes. It wont matter if they go forward. if these are reversed a few games later.

Arizona Diamondbacks:

• Positive: Zac Gallen 18.6%, Yoan Lopez 17.6%, Ketel Marte 31.4%, David Peralta 12.0%, Carson Kelly 30.1%
• Negative: Andrew Chafin -31.8%

Colorado Rockies:

• Positive: Tony Wolters 29.3%, Ryan McMahon 14.8%
• Negative: Wade Davis -26.2, Raimel Tapia -15.5, Yonder Alonso -17.6, Garrett Hampson -12.8%

Roll Call:

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Gilbertsportsfan, GuruB, Imstillhungry95, Jack Sommers, Jim McLennan, MesaDBacksFan, MrMrrbi, NikT77, Rockkstarr12, Smurf1000, Snake_Bitten, Xerostomia, asteroid, chronicles_of_the_desert, kilnborn, onedotfive