The Arizona Diamondbacks are undergoing a renaissance at the turnstiles. As the team continues its push for the playoffs, more and more curious Phoenix residents are making their way down to Chase Field to watch the D-backs play ball.
In the second half of the season, Arizona has hosted five home games on Friday nights. The first four games averaged 25,163 fans in attendance per contest. This were games against the Los Angeles Dodgers (x2), the Colorado Rockies, and the New York Mets.
It is well known that Phoenix has a sizable Dodgers fanbase (if you don't believe this, go check out their Spring Training games), and yet the pennant-chasing D-backs could only average 26,091 fans for the two games.
Fast forward to August 26, the first game back in Arizona after the Diamondbacks went on a 10 game road trip to the east coast. With a three game lead in the NL West standings over the San Francisco Giants, Arizona came back to Chase Field and were rewarded handsomely with the largest Friday night crowd since the home opener in April -- 34,074 fans.
The Diamondbacks delivered, scoring four runs in the first inning en route to a 5-0 victory over the San Diego Padres. With half an hour to go before Saturday night's game begins, the stands are already filling up nicely. That may have a little to do with the Chris Young bobblehead day, but this pennant race has finally brought out the fans in Phoenix.