Saturday evening’s game was a change of pace from Friday’s seven-run showing. This time, the Arizona Diamondbacks had some trouble putting runs on the scoreboard until the ninth inning.
The team wasn’t helped by Daniel Hudson giving up three earned runs across the third and fourth innings, despite an otherwise decent six-inning performance that included five strikeouts.
The offense as a whole only managed six hits the entire game, two of which came in a somewhat exciting ninth inning. Justin Upton singled to lead off the final inning, followed by Chris Young being walked. Cactus League darling Ryan Roberts stepped up and singled, sending Upton home for the D-backs’ first and only run. Newcomer and pinch-hitter Russel Branyan hit an unintentional sacrifice fly that ended up sending Young to third and Roberts to second, but Gerardo Parro struck out swinging, unable to capitalize on his baserunners.
There were a few encouraging signs, however: the entirety of the Arizona bullpen only gave up one hit in the final three frames and some of that trademarked Kirk Gibson “grit” showed up late in the game, even if it wasn’t quite enough for an actual “W” this time around.
So we know that the Snakes aren’t going 162-0 and Hudson isn’t going to win every game with an ERA under one, but the team kept things interesting again and anytime there’s not an utter implosion from the relievers, that’s a chance to celebrate.