The Arizona Diamondbacks entered the series with the Rockies on a two-game losing streak and was a little ninth inning magic away from getting swept by the Cardinals in the previous series. Come Sunday, the D-Backs came away winning the series 2-1 over the division rival Rockies.
Stop the Bleeding
When healthy (big if), Jon Gray can be one of the best pitchers in the NL West not Clayton Kershaw or Zack Greinke. The D-Backs were on the wrong end of that opening series, as he threw six innings, struck out 10 and gave up two runs.
The aforementioned Greinke came in when the Diamondbacks needed him the most and evened the series on Saturday, earning his 10th win by throwing seven innings, giving up two earned runs and striking out eight on a very efficient 94 pitches.
Aside from a Trevor Story home run, Greinke shut down a very potent Rockies lineup.
Chris Ow(n)ings
When you think the D-Backs offense, Chris Owings may not be the first name you think of, but man, has he had a great year. The verstatile Diamondback went 4/11 with three home runs, five RBIs, and four runs in this series.
Welcome to the Partay, Marte
Ketel Marte has been patient in his new home. Since being traded from Seattle – something Haley Stesiak and I revisited in Diamonds In The Desert this week – he was the minor leagues’ best hitter. When Nick Ahmed went down with an injury, he was called up and delivered in his first full series. Marte went 2/5 with a run and two RBIs, including the walk-off hit in Sunday’s game.
Taijuan Walker Is Coming
Speaking of the Jean Segura trade, how good has Taijuan Walker been lately?
He hasn’t giving up more three earned runs in a start since April 21st and shut the Rockies down with seven innings pitched, striking out eight and giving up just one earned run. He now has a 3.30 ERA in 2017.
Smash Mouth’s Finest
Congratulations to Paul Goldschmidt, Jake Lamb, Zack Greinke and Robbie Ray on their All-Star selections for the D-Backs. This series also featured five Rockies All-Stars in Nolan Arenado, Charlie Blackmon, D.J. LeMahieu, Mark Reynolds and Greg Holland.
The Diamondbacks go on the road to Los Angeles to take on the division-leading Dodgers. The D-Backs trail the Dodgers by 2.5 games in the standings.
