ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

D-backs squeeze out extra-innings win: By The Numbers

Aug 3, 2014, 10:19 PM | Updated: Aug 4, 2014, 1:02 am

...

For a moment, it looked as if the Arizona Diamondbacks were going to do it again.

Starting pitcher Trevor Cahill turned in his longest outing in almost a year and his team came close to squandering it.

But instead, extra-innings heroics reclaimed it, with force, and the Diamondbacks earned a series split with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Diamondbacks had a 2-1 lead after the third inning, when they used an RBI groundout and an RBI single to get on the board.

Then Brad Ziegler, who was pitching in his fourth game of the last five days, allowed a pair of hits and a sacrifice fly, which put the Pirates back into a tie for the lead. A 6-3-2 double play ultimately got him out of trouble.

In the following two innings, the Diamondbacks managed to strand three men in scoring position.

But the 10th inning was different — in a lot of ways.

The Diamondbacks, again, looked to be wasting an opportunity, but Nick Ahmed’s glove hand — not his glove — saved the day. With men on the corners and one out, Andy Marte knocked a tailor-made double play ball to Pirates shortstop Jordy Mercer. But after second baseman Jayson Nix made the turn and fired to first base to complete the play, Ahmed’s left hand deflected the ball — sending it dribbling toward the pitcher’s mound, buying time for Tuffy Gosewich to score the walk-off run.

Here’s a look at the Diamondbacks’ win, by the numbers:


2.13

Diamondbacks starting pitchers have combined for a 2.13 ERA over their last eight starts.

4

It has been nearly four months since Cahill has struck out seven hitters in a game — something he accomplished against the Los Angeles Dodgers earlier this season.

5

The Diamondbacks are 5-0 in extra innings games at Chase Field this season; 9-2 in all extra innings games this season.

7

The win was the Diamondbacks’ seventh walk-off win of the season, with their last coming on July 9 against the Miami Marlins.

7.13

Controversy wasn’t isolated to the final play of the game. Along with the retaliation storylines which lingered from a game prior, another plate-blocking play came into focus in the eighth inning, when Gosewich tagged Gregory Polanco out at home — calling Rule 7.13 into question. The rule, which is new this season, prohibits a catcher from blocking a runner’s pathyway to home plate.

346

It has been 346 days since Cahill last went 7.0 innings in a game, when he accomplished as much against the Cincinnati Reds on Aug. 22 of last year.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Lourdes Gurriel Jr....

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks keep good times rolling with 14-run inning, Opening Day rout of Rockies

What the Diamondbacks accomplished in the third inning against the Rockies on Thursday night was completely new for those in the ballpark. 

1 hour ago

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. flips his bat during Arizona Diamondbacks' 2024 Opening Day...

Arizona Sports

Diamondbacks score 14 runs in a single inning to beat Rockies on Opening Day

The Arizona Diamondbacks set franchise marks with 13 hits and 14 runs in the third inning of their 2024 Opening Day game against the Rockies.

5 hours ago

Blaze Alexander...

Alex Weiner

Blaze Alexander did all he could to make Diamondbacks’ Opening Day roster

Diamondbacks infielder Blaze Alexander put together a spring that made it too difficult for the team to send him back to the minor leagues.

8 hours ago

Ketel Marte celebrates...

Tyler Drake

Ketel Marte to lead off Arizona Diamondbacks’ Opening Day lineup

The Arizona Diamondbacks' Opening Day lineup is set ahead of their matchup against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday.

12 hours ago

Jordan Montgomery throws a pitch...

Tyler Drake

Hall: Diamondbacks’ addition of Jordan Montgomery ‘made a lot of sense’

The Diamondbacks' addition of Jordan Montgomery puts a bow on a rotation that should be in the conversation for the top spot across MLB.

13 hours ago

Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno...

Arizona Sports

Roundtable picks: One Diamondbacks young player to watch in 2024

Which Arizona Diamondbacks player should continue an upward trend in 2024? Gabriel Moreno, Brandon Pfaadt and Alek Thomas are possibilities.

14 hours ago

D-backs squeeze out extra-innings win: By The Numbers