‘Fearless’ D-backs keep finding ways to gain WC ground
CHICAGO — When the D-backs got here into Wrigley Field on Thursday to open a four-game set, they had been making an attempt to maintain maintain of the No. 3 National League Wild Card spot.
Three days — and three wins — later, Arizona has not solely strengthened its maintain, it is immediately only one sport behind the Cubs, who maintain the No. 2 spot.
It hasn’t been playoff baseball, however it certain has felt prefer it, with all three contests being tightly contested in entrance of huge crowds with only a contact of fall chill within the air.
On Saturday afternoon, the 2 groups locked up in a 10-inning battle that resulted in a 3-2 Arizona win.
Here’s a have a look at some issues you must learn about Saturday’s sport:
It didn’t begin out significantly effectively for the D-backs
Arizona second baseman Ketel Marte fouled the primary pitch of the sport off his proper knee and instantly collapsed to the bottom. After being examined by a group coach, he stayed within the sport and singled to left.
Marte would ultimately depart the sport within the seventh inning because the knee stiffened up on him, and he was limping within the clubhouse after the sport.
D-backs supervisor Torey Lovullo mentioned X-rays taken of Marte’s knee had been unfavourable and that he can be each day. While the likelihood exists that he might play in Sunday’s sequence finale, it additionally wouldn’t be a shock if Lovullo offers him a time off.
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. continues to shine defensively
When the D-backs acquired Gurriel from the Blue Jays in an offseason commerce, there have been some questions on his protection in left discipline.
And whereas Gurriel doesn’t at all times make it look simple on the market, he has discovered a method time and time once more to give you large defensive performs this 12 months. On Saturday, there have been two.
With one out within the backside of the ninth, Yan Gomes hit a ball off the wall in left. Gurriel fielded it on one bounce and fired a strike to second to nail Gomes.
That was essential as a result of Nick Madrigal adopted with a double to proper that will have scored Gomes from second with the game-winning run. Instead, Madrigal was left stranded at second and the sport went to further innings.
“I thought it might be a home run because of the wind and everything, but once it bounced off the wall I knew I had a play at second,” Gurriel mentioned.
In the tenth inning, Gurriel made a really good play on a deep fly ball from Ian Happ that will show essential, because the Cubs had been solely capable of rating one run that inning.
The D-backs as soon as once more discovered a approach to pull it out
While the Cubs have discovered methods to make outs on the bases within the sequence, the D-backs have used their velocity and aggression to reap the benefits of Chicago errors and to attain runs.
Corbin Carroll led off the fifth with a single to middle and promptly stole second base, ultimately scoring the one run Arizona would get earlier than further innings.
In the tenth, the D-backs took benefit of a wild pitch and a handed ball to attain a pair of runs, which might show to be the distinction.
“Look, we made a couple of mistakes, we know what they are,” Lovullo mentioned. “But when we needed to, we rebounded, we did the things we were supposed to do. We played fast. We played aggressively. We played fearless, and it showed up at the right times and helped us win the game. I can give you 15 things that took place today where, if it doesn’t go that way, we might have a totally different outcome. But I’m really proud of the way we came out and responded and did our job and won the game.”
