Mark Reynolds hit a walk-off two-run homer off Silvino Bracho, powering the Rockies past the D-backs, 9-7, on Sunday at Coors Field to split the four-game series.
It marked Colorado's first walk-off win of the season and Reynolds' first walk-off hit of his career. The timing was critical for the Rockies, who were out of bench bats and fresh relievers.
"[It was] good timing because it would've gotten pretty interesting in extra innings," Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. "We might've seen a few guys out of position."
The Rockies took their first lead of the game on Carlos Gonzalez's grand slam in the fifth inning off D-backs starter Patrick Corbin. Arizona quickly struck back, adding two runs onPaul Goldschmidt's single up the middle the next frame. But Trevor Story evened the game in the seventh with his 19th home run.
Arizona could not make anything happen against Colorado's bullpen, which had previously allowed 14 runs in 10 1/3 innings this series. Yohan Flande, Jordan Lyles, Boone Loganand Carlos Estevez combined to throw four shutout innings, allowing three hits and striking out four.
"In this ballpark, it's very difficult to hold the lead, and we know that," D-backs manager Chip Hale said. "It doesn't help that we had way too many walks today. Each day, you look at the different things that lead to your demise, and yesterday was probably some misplays, and today was walks."
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
LeMahieu and Story injured: Rockies second baseman DJ LeMahieu exited the game in the top of the sixth inning with a left knee contusion. LeMahieu dove for Goldschmidt's ground ball up the middle and landed awkwardly. He was 0-for-1 on the day with a pair of walks and a run. Story was hit on the hand and sustained a bruised right middle finger in the ninth inning, although he ran the bases before Reynolds' walk-off homer.
LeMahieu and Story injured: Rockies second baseman DJ LeMahieu exited the game in the top of the sixth inning with a left knee contusion. LeMahieu dove for Goldschmidt's ground ball up the middle and landed awkwardly. He was 0-for-1 on the day with a pair of walks and a run. Story was hit on the hand and sustained a bruised right middle finger in the ninth inning, although he ran the bases before Reynolds' walk-off homer.
"[Story] would not have stayed in the game [had the game gone to extra innings]," Weiss said. "I'm not sure how he is yet. The kid is having an incredible season, a dream season. Hoping and praying he's okay." More >
Gold standard: After collecting a pair of hits on Sunday, Goldschmidt has now reached base safely in 48 straight games against the Rockies dating back to July 5, 2013. That ties Mike Piazza for the longest such streak against the Rockies.
"I have no idea," Goldschmidt said when asked why he has had so much success against Colorado. "I had no clue there was anything like that or that you guys even track that, so I have no idea."
Blackmon's power surge: Charlie Blackmon put the Rockies on the board in the third inning with a solo home run to right field. That was his fifth home run of the week and the Rockies' sixth-longest home run of the season, projected at 451 feet by Statcast™. Reynolds' 464-foot walk-off was the team's third-longest of the year and Gonzalez's 455-foot grand slam was the team's fourth longest of the season.
"I was on time," Blackmon said. "He had made a mistake pitch, and I was able to put good wood on it."
Good trip: The D-backs head back to Phoenix having dropped two straight games, but they tried to focus on the positives of their 10-day road trip. Arizona finished the trip 7-3, which included a four-game sweep of the Phillies and splits of a two-game set with the Blue Jays and a four-gamer with the Rockies.
"Not too happy after today's loss, but at the same time, you have to take the positive out of it," D-backs third baseman Jake Lamb said. "And we had a really good road trip, not just wins and losses. There's a really good feeling in the clubhouse and out on the field." More >
QUOTABLE
"He made an adjustment there. The fact that his 100-mph heater got hit out last time tells him that guys are geared up for it. He and Nick [Hundley] made an adjustment. He threw some nasty sliders. And you can't do both. You can't hit a 100-mph fastball and hit his slider. You have to pick one or the other. They were hunting fastballs, as they should when a guy is throwing 100 mph, and the slider exposed them." -- Weiss on Estevez, who threw fastballs on just four of 11 pitches
"He made an adjustment there. The fact that his 100-mph heater got hit out last time tells him that guys are geared up for it. He and Nick [Hundley] made an adjustment. He threw some nasty sliders. And you can't do both. You can't hit a 100-mph fastball and hit his slider. You have to pick one or the other. They were hunting fastballs, as they should when a guy is throwing 100 mph, and the slider exposed them." -- Weiss on Estevez, who threw fastballs on just four of 11 pitches
SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
The Rockies and D-backs combined for 109 hits in the series. The last time this happened in the Majors was Aug. 22-24, 2014, between the Tigers and Twins (117 hits). The last time the Rockies were involved in such a feat was June 25-28, 2012, against the Nationals (110).
The Rockies and D-backs combined for 109 hits in the series. The last time this happened in the Majors was Aug. 22-24, 2014, between the Tigers and Twins (117 hits). The last time the Rockies were involved in such a feat was June 25-28, 2012, against the Nationals (110).
UPON FURTHER REVIEW
Blackmon led off the first with a soft grounder to third and was ruled safe on a close play. Hale challenged the ruling on the field. After a brief review, the call stood, leaving the D-backs out of challenges for the remainder of the game.
Blackmon led off the first with a soft grounder to third and was ruled safe on a close play. Hale challenged the ruling on the field. After a brief review, the call stood, leaving the D-backs out of challenges for the remainder of the game.
WHAT'S NEXT
D-backs: Robbie Ray gets the start at 6:40 p.m. MT on Monday as the D-backs open a three-game series with the Phillies at Chase Field. The D-backs swept the Phillies last weekend in Philadelphia. Monday is the start of a nine-game homestand for Arizona.
D-backs: Robbie Ray gets the start at 6:40 p.m. MT on Monday as the D-backs open a three-game series with the Phillies at Chase Field. The D-backs swept the Phillies last weekend in Philadelphia. Monday is the start of a nine-game homestand for Arizona.
Rockies: Jon Gray will take the mound against the Blue Jays at 6:40 p.m. MT on Monday. He exited his last start after four innings with right arm fatigue, snapping a streak of five straight quality starts. He is expected to carry a normal workload.
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