*Photo from AP News*
Say what you will about the Arizona Diamondbacks, but they can put up a fight. Daulton Varsho drove in a run, Christian Walker had a 3 RBI game, and the Diamondbacks rallied to defeat the Houston Astros with a 5-2 victory in 10 innings on Wednesday night in Houston.
Playing a short two game series with the juggernauts of the AL in the Astros, the D-Backs were able to rebound from a rout of a loss in game one to take the finale and split the series. The duo of Varsho and Walker drove in 4 of the 5 runs scored, including a big hit in the 10th by Walker.
D-Backs manager Torey Lovullo said of the 10th inning that "When you get those extra two runs, it changes the whole dynamic of that inning. It was a great moment for Christian. I know it was a tough night for him. He might have gotten rung up on some pitches that weren’t necessarily good pitches, but he erased that and came out and helped win us a baseball game."
The D-Backs were able to jump out to an early lead in the first inning. Varsho started it by scoring on a passed ball to make it 1-0. Next, Pavin Smith was able to come home on a sac fly from Walker to double the lead to 2-0. In the 5th, Chas McCormick tied it for Houston with one swing of the bat, making it 2-2 with a two run home run.
No more scoring would ensue until the big 10th inning for Arizona. Varsho reached on a fielders choice, scoring the eventual game winning run in Carson Kelly to make it a 3-2 lead. Walker followed that up by singling to left field, scoring Varsho and Jake McCarthy to put the D-Backs ahead by a 5-2 score.
It was Zac Gallen who started for the D-Backs, allowing two runs on 6 hits over 7 innings in a no decision. Kevin Ginkel and Reyes Moronta delivered scoreless innings, with Moronta getting the win. Mark Melancon picked up his 18th save of the season with a scoreless 10th inning.
Gallen said of his start that "I didn’t feel particularly great about any certain one pitch. It was just everything kind of felt OK. I was able to throw everything for strikes, but it didn’t feel super great. I was just trying to stay in the zone, try to get back into counts. I felt like I was behind a little bit tonight. I was just locating and trying to make pitches.
Justin Verlander started for the Astros opposite Gallen, and allowed two runs on 6 hits, also lasting 7 innings. Rafael Montero and Ryan Pressly each had shutout innings. Will Smith got the loss in the 10th, allowing 3 runs while recording just two outs. Bryan Abreu pitched the end of the inning.
Verlander said after the game that "I’m not as dialed in as I was before the calf, but I feel like I am working my way there. I feel like tonight was another step in the right direction. It happens quickly when you can find yourself in a groove, so I don’t feel like I’m far off."
Up next, the D-Backs play the rival San Francisco Giants on Friday night in the Bay Area, with Merrill Kelly getting the start. The Astros welcome the Tampa Bay Rays to town on Friday, with no announced starter.
Comments
Post a Comment