Grit Index: Diamondbacks destroy Pirates in series finale
Apr 10, 2013, 11:22 PM | Updated: 11:35 pm
The Arizona Diamondbacks avoided the series sweep at the hands of the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday afternoon, coming away with a blowout 10-2 win at Chase Field.
The D-backs scored early and often with three runs in the first, three in the second and four in the fourth. Every D-back in the starting lineup reached base at least once, with the exception of starting pitcher Wade Miley.
Speaking of Miley, he had a solid outing, going 6.2 innings while giving up just two earned runs on the day. Miley now is now 2-0 on the season after earning his first win of 2013 against the Brewers last week in Milwaukee.
Not so much for Jonathan Sanchez of the Pirates. He lasted 3.1 innings and gave up eight hits, nine earned runs with four walks, two home runs and two strikeouts.
The Good
The offense clicked on all cylinders with ten runs on ten hits, but it was center fielder A.J. Pollock that was the human highlight reel. He went 3-for-5 with four RBI and three runs scored. Not only that, but his three hits were a double and two home runs. Pollock is now batting .273 on the season.
The Bad
Not winning the series. The Pirates limped into Phoenix having lost four straight and scoring a grand total of 8 runs in their first six games, but plated 11 runs in two wins over the D-backs.
Noted
Pollock recorded his first career multi-home run game as a Major Leaguer. He’s the first D-backs rookie to accomplish that feat since Juan Miranda did it on May 27th, 2011 against the Astros on the road on Houston.
Stat of the Day
Starter Wade Miley is now 5-0 in seven career games in the month of April, including four starts. He’s also 7-0 in eight career day games, including seven starts.
Up Next
The D-backs will have Thursday off before returning to Chase Field to start a series with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday night. Lefty Patrick Corbin is scheduled to make his second start of the 2013 season for Arizona, and he’ll be opposed by Los Angeles’ Clayton Kershaw, also a lefty. First pitch is at 6:40 p.m. on Arizona Sports 620.
