SB Nation
  • Google+

SB Nation Arizona

Stay connected for news and updates

Diamondbacks Rally With Longball, Cap Successful Road Trip With 6-3 Win Over Pirates

One of the things the Diamondbacks did best on this 10-game road trip was hit for power. They racked up a couple of more home runs Thursday.

  • Live
6 Total Updates since August 6, 2012
  • Important 1
  • Updates 5
  • Articles 1
  • All Updates 6

Chris Young, Justin Upton Tossed As D-backs Fail To Scrape Across Enough Runs In 7-6 Loss To Pirates

Well, it was an eventful one Wednesday but most of the key events were in the Pirates favor with the Diamondbacks coming up just short on a 7-6 rainy day loss. Willie Bloomquist and Paul Goldschmidt each finished the day with two RBIs but Pirates second baseman Neil Walker really stole the show with a huge final line (2-4, one run, five RBI).

It seemed the D-backs were set on turning the tables and taking the lead early in this one after Chris Johnson and Goldschmidt batted home a run each in the top of the first. But after striking out the first two batters, starter Ian Kennedy (4 IP, 8 H, 5 ER) allowed the next two to reach before giving up a towering thee-run bomb to Walker. From there, it was clear the fans were in store for a wild one.

In the third, rookie outfielder Starling Marte would continue his tear against the D-backs with another solo shot that extended the lead to 4-2. But with the possibility of calling the game looming due to the rain, the D-backs sense of urgency kicked in in the top of the fifth. Thanks to the help of a wicked hop on Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez, the D-backs were able to get two more runs across to tie the game.

Unfortunately, that momentum would be short-lived with Walker stroking a two-run double after the bases were left loaded due to an error by Bloomquist. From there both team would tack on one more run each before things would get extra interesting in the seventh.

Following Goldchmidt's second sacrifice fly of the game, Justin Upton and Miguel Montero were able to reach base due to consecutive throwing errors. Then, with a rekindled sense of hope, Chris Young approached the plate with the bases loaded. Before he could play the role of hero though, Young was caught looking at a called third strike. Clearly, Young felt that it was a little too inside as he responded by throwing his bat down on home plate while screaming in umpire Larry Vanover's face.

Young was instantly ejected but still got his money's worth as he was being physically restrained by manager Kirk Gibson and his fellow teammates. While everyone was focusing on an evidently irate Young, Upton was also tossed by first-base umpire Alfonzo Marquez for voicing his displeasure on the same call.

With two-thirds of his outfield now gone, Gibson was forced to move Bloomquist from second and put Aaron Hill and Jason Kubel into the game after initially giving them an off-day. The D-backs were able to add on one more run in the eighth with another Bloomquist RBI before the door was eventually slammed shut as Joel Hanrahan struck out the side in the ninth.

Arizona will now try to salvage the series tomorrow at noon with Joe Saunders taking the bump against Wandy Rodriguez at 1:05. The D-backs are quickly heading in the wrong direction though with Wednesday's loss marking their fourth loss in five games after a hot start to the road trip.

Continue