Grit Index: Ross homer propels D-backs to series win
Jun 19, 2013, 11:59 PM | Updated: Jun 20, 2013, 12:08 am
The Arizona Diamondbacks got a superhuman effort from long reliever Josh Collmenter Wednesday in their 3-1 win over the Miami Marlins at Chase Field. With the win, Arizona also won the three-game series and improved to 39-33 on the season.
Collmenter came in for an injured Trevor Cahill in the second inning after Cahill took a line drive off the hip in the first and couldn’t continue. Collmenter was lights out, lasting six innings while giving up one hit and one walk. He struck out seven while throwing 78 pitches. This is a role that Collmenter has become accustomed to, pitching in several different scenarios including in mop-up situations, long relief and others.
As for the offense, Miami’s starter Jose Fernandez shut down the Diamondbacks at the plate for the majority of the game. In fact, after Collmenter’s single in the third, the D-backs didn’t record a hit until Cody Ross’ pinch-hit three-run homer in the bottom of the eighth that ended up being the game-winner.
The Good:
The Diamondbacks are now 9-4 in their last 13 home games since May 14th and 6-0-4 in their last 10 series against the Marlins.
Fortunately for the D-backs, they’ve also found a way to win late considering this was their 16th win in their last at-bat and their tenth victory when tied after seven innings.
The Bad:
Starter Trevor Cahill was removed from the game in the second inning with a right hip contusion.
The D-backs tallied just four hits on the afternoon, which gave them 16 for the three-game series.
Noted:
Josh Collmenter is the first D-backs pitcher with at least three relief appearances of four innings or more in a single season and the fifth National League pitcher since 2009 to accomplish that feat.
Heath Bell has now converted nine straight save opportunities but has also surrendered a home run in four straight games.
Cody Ross hit his fifth career pinch-hit home run. His last one came against the Phillies in September of 2008 while a member of the Marlins. Before the home run, he was hitless in his previous 14 at-bats.
He Said It:
“I joked with them and I told them, ‘You guys just want me to go eight?’ and Joe-Pa (Joe Paterson) said, ‘How about 7 2/3 and I’ll come in a face the lefties.’ So I made a run at it.” – Collmenter, talking about his conversation with the bullpen guys before he came in during the second inning.
Up Next:
The Diamondbacks will enjoy a day off Thursday before returning to Chase Field on Friday to host the Cincinnati Reds in game one of a three game series. Lefty Wade Miley will go for his fifth win of the season. The D-backs are 2-1 in his last three starts. In his last two starts against Cincinnati, he’s 1-1 with a 4.26 ERA. Opposite Miley will be righty Johnny Cueto, who has a 4-0 record and a 2.08 ERA. First pitch on Friday is at 6:40pm on Arizona Sports 620AM.
