Offense bails out Robbie Ray, D-backs improve to 2-0

PHOENIX — Two games into the season and the Arizona Diamondbacks are on pace to go undefeated.

OK, so that’s not going to happen. But good things are happening with the D-backs here in 2018.

Even on a night when the starting pitching was not good.

Nick Ahmed set a career-high with five RBI and the D-backs beat the Colorado Rockies for the second time in as many nights, 9-8 the final, in front of an announced crowd of 23,937 at Chase Field on Friday.

Ahmed highlighted a five-run first inning with a three-run home run and then added RBI singles in each of the third and fifth innings; the latter of which proved to be the game-winner. He finished 3-for-4.

The D-backs enjoyed leads of 5-0 and 7-2 before holding on for the win, their 10th in the last 12 meetings with the Rockies.

In addition to Ahmed, A.J. Pollock had two hits and two RBI and Chris Owings two hits and one RBI as the D-backs pounded the Rockies’ pitching once again.

Starter Tyler Anderson was tagged for seven runs in 2.1 innings.

Robbie Ray wasn’t much better. He struggled with his command — three walks — and was hit hard, allowing home runs to Charlie Blackmon, Ian Desmond and Gerardo Parra. Overall, Ray, who earned the win, was charged with seven runs on seven hits in five innings. He did strike out eight.

Brad Boxberger pitched a scoreless ninth, working around a leadoff walk, to record the save, his first with the D-backs and first since Oct. 1, 2015.

The D-backs are 2-0 for the first time since 2012.

THE GOOD

After a three-run first on Opening Day, the D-backs had a five-run first on Day 2. Pollock drove in two with a double down the third-base line and Ahmed cleared the bases with a three-run home run, his first of the season. Ahmed — now 3-for-6 in his career against Anderson — ripped a 1-2 changeup into the D-backs bullpen. By the way, three of the five runs that scored were by runners who reached base safely via walk.

Two innings later, there was Ahmed once again in the middle of a D-backs rally. With two on, one out and one run already in — on an Owings RBI single — Ahmed grounded a ball through the left side of the infield for a base hit, thus extending the D-backs lead to 5-2 in the third inning. It was Owings who scored after he advanced to second and then third base on a pair of wild pitches. Ahmed’s four RBI matched his career-high.

Two innings later, again, there was Ahmed, again, in the middle of a D-backs rally. With two on and no out, Ahmed went the opposite way, shooting a ball into right field for a base hit and bringing home Owings, who had led off the fifth with a walk, to make it 8-7. Ahmed’s five RBI not only were a career-high but they matched the franchise record for most RBI in a single game by a shortstop (Stephen Drew; April 28, 2011 vs. Cubs).

Though he has yet to record a hit through the season’s first two games, Paul Goldschmidt is getting on base. A lot. More than half the time, in fact. In nine plate appearances, Goldschmidt has walked four times and been hit by a pitch. Twice he’s scored, once in each game. A year ago, Goldschmidt, who has put the ball in play just once, flying out to center field, was walked 94 times, the fourth-most in the National League.

THE BAD

Handed a five-run cushion, Ray quickly gave two right back just seven pitches into the second inning. He walked Carlos Gonzalez and then he tried to sneak a 91.8 mph fastball by Desmond. It was unsuccessful. Desmond lifted the 0-1 offering the opposite way and over the fence in right field, cutting the D-backs lead to 5-2. It was his first career home run off Ray and second-ever against the D-backs.

Two innings later and once again pitching with a five-run cushion (7-2), Ray surrendered the lead, giving up a pair of home runs. Parra, the former D-back, clubbed a first-pitch 92 mph fastball up in the zone for a two-run homer and Blackmon blasted a 1-0 82 mph slider off the batter’s eye in straightaway center field for a three-run homer. Ray threw 26 pitches as the Rockies sent nine men to the plate.

So who had Ketel Marte as the first D-back to be ejected in 2018? It happened in the sixth inning. The first batter of the inning. Upset over a called third strike — an 82.3 mph slider at the knees from Adam Ottavino — angrily slammed his bat on to the ground. Home plate umpire Eric Cooper immediately tossed Marte, who earned his first career ejection. It did not appear Marte said anything to Cooper.

STAT OF THE GAME

5: For the second straight game, the D-backs recorded five hits with runners in scoring position; they went 5-for-11 one night after going 5-for-17

HE SAID IT

“Well, it wasn’t exactly the way we drew it up but it was a win and any win is a good win,” manager Torey Lovullo said. “I think our guys battled. The bullpen was very efficient in locking down a very, very small lead against a very offensive team. It was a hard-fought win.”

NOTED

Ray threw a first-pitch strike to 13-of-25 batters faced; plus, he reached a 3-ball count five times.

Ray improved to 6-0 over his last eight regular-season starts against the National League West.

Ahmed’s previous high for RBI in a single game was four, on April 15, 2017, at the L.A. Dodgers.

Pollock has hit safely in eight straight regular season games (.394; 13-for-33) versus the Rockies.

With a first-pitch temperature of 86 degrees, the game was played with the roof and panels open.

Prior to the game, injured pitchers Randall Delgado and Shelby Miller both had bullpen sessions.

UP NEXT

Three games into the season and Zack Greinke will make his first start of 2018. He’ll be opposed by fellow right-hander German Marquez in the series finale on Saturday, March 31. First pitch is scheduled for 5:10 p.m. with pregame coverage beginning 40 minutes earlier on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.

Greinke’s debut was delayed by a few days due to right groin tightness he was forced to deal with during spring training.

An All-Star last season, Greinke went 13-1 with a 2.87 ERA in 18 starts at Chase Field in 2017. He did not factor in the decision in the Wild Card Game with the Rockies.

Meanwhile, Marquez is entering just his second big-league season. His first was spectacular. He led all rookies with 147 strikeouts and 14 quality starts while his 11 wins were tied for the second-most among rookies with teammate Kyle Freeland.

Oddly enough, Marquez struggled against the D-backs a year ago. He went 0-3 with a 4.59 ERA (17 ER in 33.1 IP) and five home runs allowed over six starts.

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