The Diamondbacks go for a sweep. Kids! Ask your parents…
The Diamondbacks go for the series sweep this afternoon at Chase Field against the utterly road-deficient Rockies. If you’re thinking it has been a while… You’d be right. As has been well noted, before last night’s victory, the team had not even won a series since the last time they faced these self-same Rockies at Chase Field. They took three out of four from April 29 through May 2. But that was a four-game series, in which Arizona lost the third game, so a sweep was never on the table. There has, in fact, been only a single time where the team even had the opportunity for a sweep in 2021. That came from April 20-22 in Cincinnati, after the D-backs won the first two games, 5-4 and 8-5, the latter in 10 innings.
The second game was an omen of the third, which also ended up being decided in extras. The teams were tied at eight, after the regulation nine innings, but the tenth developed into a bit of a slug-fest. Arizona scored six in their half, with a bases-clearing double by David Peralta, followed by a two-run homer from Carson Kelly (remember when Carson Kelly hit homers?). But they then had to withstand a comeback from the Reds in the bottom of the inning, which finally ended with the tying run at the plate, in the form of Joey Votto. But Alex Young struck him out, to preserve a 14-11 victory for the Diamondbacks. That gave them their one and, pending this afternoon’s result, only sweep of 2021.
It was also the first time in franchise history the D-backs had conceded 11 runs, yet still won by three or more runs. Indeed, over the past decade, there had only been one victory of any kind while allowing 11+ runs – a 13-11 win over the Marlins in September 2017. We’ll see if the Diamondbacks can complete another sweep, and help consign the Rockies road record to dipping another notch lower.
Torey Lovullo notes
- Corbin Martin Injury: was covered by Nick Piecoro and linked in Snakebytes. He is in shutdown phase and getting treatment
- Still no announcement for tomorrow’s starter. Taylor Widener is a possible option. But TBD. Despite results in rehab Torey feels he’s ready based on pitch data and the way he’s moving when fielding.
- Madison Bumgarner and Zac Gallen are looking likely to return soon after the all star break but just how long after still TBD. The will certainly not return before all star break
- Tyler Clippard is looking likely to return post all star break as well as long as no setbacks. Torey compared Clippard to being in “mid march form”
- Bryan Holaday getting the start today to give down days to a few players. He deserved the call up and been working hard for today.