Walker (2 HRs, 4 RBIs) propels D-backs to slugfest victory
DENVER — The D-backs fought by means of the twists and turns of a basic Coors Field slugfest to high the Rockies, 9-7, on Wednesday and win two of three video games in a sequence that includes three straight come-from-behind victories.
“This is a gut check, and I’m proud of our guys,” supervisor Torey Lovullo mentioned of the dramatic sequence win. “After losing the first day here, we came out and won two really tough ballgames. We didn’t shut down.”
Arizona struck first, taking an early lead on Christian Walker‘s two-out, two-run homer to heart. Walker has been a Rockies killer on the journey. He was 6-for-11 with 4 homers, a double, 9 RBIs and three walks within the sequence. Two of these house runs and 4 of these RBIs got here in Wednesday’s finale.
“I’d say it’s a battle for myself, not trying to do too much,” Walker mentioned of his success. “Sometimes, I’m up there attempting to hit a ball to the moon, and it is not a really environment friendly mindset so far as pitch choice and even physique motion.
“I’m simply attempting to remain calm, attempting to remain free, belief my energy, belief what I see, and depend on the blokes round me. Everybody’s placing collectively actually good at bats. There’s a ton of safety on this lineup proper now. It’s loads of enjoyable.”
Slade Cecconi left his second huge league begin within the fifth with a runner on a 2-1 lead, although Colorado scored a pair within the inning after Cecconi left. He pitched 4 full innings and allowed two runs on 4 hits and three walks with 4 strikeouts and successful batsman.
“It was a solid effort on a day where we needed him to pitch into the fifth inning, and he did a great job for us,” Lovullo mentioned.
Colorado beginning pitcher Austin Gomber overlooked the strike zone within the sixth, giving up three walks after not issuing a free cross all day.
All three walks got here round to attain as he walked Buddy Kennedy earlier than Nick Ahmed’s bases-loaded triple. Ahmed tried for an inside-the-park grand slam however was simply thrown out at house on a 9-3-2 play initiated by Jones in proper discipline.
“It was a spot-on, right-center approach with men in scoring position,” Lovullo mentioned. “It’s a long fly ball off the top of the wall, and [Ahmed] prepares for that. He just continues to ready himself for those moments, and it was a huge play for us. The Walker home runs and the Ahmed triple off the top of the wall were the catalyst for helping us win this game offensively.”
The Rockies plated 4 runs within the backside of the inning to take a 6-5 lead earlier than the pendulum swung again Arizona’s manner another time within the high of the eighth when Tommy Pham hit a leadoff single to left off Tyler Kinley and Walker launched his second house run of the sport for an 8-7 lead. It was his third consecutive recreation with a homer, and his fifth in his final 5 video games.
“Christian had an incredible series,” Lovullo mentioned. “Four home runs — and big home runs, very timely home runs where you think, ‘Here’s our guy and let’s see if we can push across crooked numbers,’ and he did. He’s locked in. He’s hitting the ball very well, and without him we wouldn’t be in the position we’re in.”
Conquering Coors Field is nothing new to Walker. He now has 13 homers within the Mile High City, tied with L.A.’s Max Muncy for essentially the most of any lively visiting participant since 2018. In 15 video games since 2020, he’s hitting .393 (24-for-61) with eight homers, 5 doubles, 22 RBI, 15 runs, and 10 walks.
“Knowing that I don’t have to hit a ball 112 miles an hour to get out of the park [helps],” Walker mentioned. “It’s nice to feel like you get rewarded for just taking a clean swing, putting the barrel on the ball. I’m a much better hitter under those circumstances, so when I can take a little pressure off myself and take a little bit of the intensity level out, things get way more efficient.”
Paul Sewald gave up a leadoff single up the center to pinch-hitter Charlie Blackmon, then retired three in a row to notch his twenty fifth save and a sequence victory over the Rockies. It was the 250th win over Colorado, essentially the most wins the D-backs have amassed in opposition to any crew.
The victory put the D-backs again over .500 (61-60) and stored them in competition for an NL Wild Card playoff berth.
