ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Sedona Red Recap: D-backs beat Marlins in back-and-forth thriller

Sep 22, 2017, 11:46 PM | Updated: Sep 23, 2017, 12:11 am

Arizona Diamondbacks' Chris Iannetta (8) is congratulated by teammates J.D. Martinez (28), David Pe...

Arizona Diamondbacks' Chris Iannetta (8) is congratulated by teammates J.D. Martinez (28), David Peralta (6) and Paul Goldschmidt (44) after hitting a grand slam against the Miami Marlins during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Friday, Sept. 22, 2017, in Phoenix. It was Iannetta's second home run of the game. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso)

(AP Photo/Ralph Freso)

PHOENIX, Ariz. – The Arizona Diamondbacks got into an unexpected slugfest in game one of their series with the Miami Marlins on Friday night that resulted in an early exit for Zack Greinke, 24 total runs scored and a crazy comeback for a narrow 13-11 D-backs win, their 89th of the season.

Neither Greinke nor Marlins starting pitcher Adam Conley were lights-out on Friday. Greinke started off the game by cruising through his first two hitters faced, but he then gave up a single to Christian Yelich and a two-run home run to Marcell Ozuna, which put Miami up early.

But the D-backs’ offense struck back in the bottom half of the first against Conley. Paul Goldschmidt doubled, which was followed up by a J.D. Martinez walk and a three-run home run off the bat of Chris Iannetta.

The back-and-forth continued, and through just three innings of play, the score was 7-7.

Conley didn’t make it out of the second inning, lasting 1.2 innings. He gave up seven earned runs on six hits, walking one and striking out none.

Greinke’s night didn’t go much better. After Ozuno homered for the second time in the fourth inning, his day was done despite facing one last batter. The righty lasted 4.0 innings, giving up a total of eight earned runs on nine hits. He struck out three, walked two, and gave up three home runs in a no decision.

After a slight break in the offensive action in the fourth and fifth innings, things got crazy again in the bottom of the sixth. Christian Walker hit his second career home run and his first as a D-back to narrow the gap. This was also his first career pinch-hit home run.

Later in the inning, Peralta reached on an error, Goldy walked and Martinez singled, which loaded the bases for Iannetta who took relief pitcher Dustin McGowan deep for a grand slam home run, his second of the game and 16th of the season.

Iannetta’s grand slam put his RBI total on the day to eight, one shy of the D-backs record.

Martinez added a solo home run in the eighth, his 42nd of the season and 26th as a member of the D-backs. His 13 home runs in the month of September ties Luis Gonzalez for the franchise record of most home runs hit in one month.

The relief pitching combo of Jimmie Sherfy & Archie Bradley took it from there despite some struggles of their own and handed it over to Fernando Rodney for the 300th save of his career. The D-backs took game one of the series and will look to secure their spot in the postseason in game two on Saturday night.

THE GOOD

–Iannetta continues to be the most productive offensive catcher on the roster. In his last nine games, Iannetta is hitting .387 with nine RBI — eight of which were on Friday — and two home runs, which he hit tonight.

–Martinez hit his 13th home run of the month, which ties Luis Gonzalez for the franchise record for most home runs hit in one month.

–Giancarlo Stanton was not the problem for the D-backs pitchers tonight. The slugger went 0-5 with two strikeouts. He did get his 101st RBI on a sac fly, though.

THE BAD

–Greinke didn’t look strong, only lasting four innings and giving up eight earned while struggling against this Marlins lineup all night. Lovullo will have quite a bit to consider when deciding on a potential starter for the Wild Card playoff game.

–The Marlins scored early and often. They tallied a run or more in each of their first five innings.

–A.J. Pollock and Jake Lamb went a combined 1-for-9 with two strikeouts.

STAT OF THE GAME

Fernando Rodney acquired the 300th save of his career. He is the 28th player in MLB history to reach 300 saves. He needs one more save to become the second pitcher in MLB history with 40+ saves in a season at age 40 or older.

HE SAID IT

Torey Lovullo on Fernando Rodney obtaining his 300th career save: “I want to also make sure I mention Fernando Rodney with his 300th save. What an incredible accomplishment. It’s a long time that he has been doing some really special things in that ninth inning. To be recognized by the fans in that special way is a pretty nice night for him and for the ball club.”

NOTED

–The D-backs now have 208 home runs, which ties the season total from the 2001 team and only trails behind the 216 homers hit by the 1999 squad.

–Arizona is now 12-6 at home in their last 18 games at Chase Field. In their last 30 games, the Snakes are 22-8 or .733, which is the second-best winning percentage in the majors behind the Indians during that span.

–Martinez is just the ninth player in MLB history with 25+ home runs for one team after playing for another team during that season. He currently has 26 as a D-back.

–First pitch was at 6:40 PM with an outdoor temperature of 84 degrees and an indoor temp of 76. 34,588 were in attendance.

UP NEXT

The D-backs look to clinch their place in the playoffs with a win on Saturday in game two against the Marlins. Arizona will send Taijuan Walker to the mound to do battle with Dillon Peters (0-2, 5.40 ERA) for Miami.

First pitch is scheduled for 5:10 with pregame coverage beginning 40 minutes earlier on 98.7 FM, Arizona’s Sports Station.

Walker is 3-1 in his last six starts with a 2.14 ERA, 31 strikeouts and an opponents’ batting average of .238. This will be the first time he has ever faced the Marlins. He is 9-8 on the season with a 3.45 ERA.

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