The Arizona Diamondbacks were facing the prospect for losing their fourth-straight game and getting swept in a series for the first time this season. Instead they rallied late and pushed over the walk-off run in the 12th inning to take the game and end the homestand on a high note.
Things were looking positive early behind a very solid start to Barry Enright's start. He was carrying a perfect game and a three-run lead into the fourth inning before notorious D-backs killer, Aubrey Huff, smacked a curve ball over the right field fence.
Justin Upton struck back in the fifth with a solo homer of his own (another deep blast to left center) and the D-backs looked in control with a 4-1 lead. Then things fell off the rails for Big Red Enright.
Enright's fast ball didn't seem to have enough life today and while his breaking stuff was fantastic early and got him the lead, he eventually hung a couple of off-speed pitches and then his straight low-90's heat wasn't enough to get him out of trouble. The Giants tagged him for three runs capped by Buster Posey's two-run homer off the fourth-straight inside pitch Miguel Montero called for.
Esmerling Vasquez came for Enright with the game tied at four and promptly gave up a home run to the Kong-Fu Mini-Panda, Pablo Sandoval. Boy, does that guy look dangerous this year minus about 50 extra pounds.
Juan Gutierrez looked like his mechanics had been cleaned up as he pitched a solid seventh and David Hernandez continued his streak of lights out relief in the eighth. But holding serve with the Giant's pen down 5-4 wasn't enough.
Ryan Roberts stepped up to fix that by driving in Xavier Nady who had got on with a walk and advanced to second on a steal and third on a Montero ground out. Small ball in action. With the tying run successfully manufactured, it was time for free baseball.
Rested closer J.J. Putz pitched two innings of three strikeout, no-hit ball. He was followed by newly recalled Josh Collmenter who unleashed his funky overhand delivery on the Giants for another two innings of perfect work.
For those counting at home, that's a total of 6.2 innings from the pen with only two hits and one run allowed. Solid.
It was the Giants pen that faltered first. They gave up walks to Justin Upton and Chris Young which gave Stephen Drew the opportunity to be the quiet hero. Drew continued to show his ability to hit left-handed pitching as he singled to right and gave Upton just enough time to beat the throw at home and win the game.
The D-backs fly out of Phoenix tonight to start a road trip against the Reds on Tuesday followed by the Mets over the weekend.
For more on this game visit Diamondbacks blog, AZ Snake Pit.