Grit Index: Ninth-inning rally gives D-backs much-needed road win

Apr 21, 2013, 11:45 PM | Updated: Apr 22, 2013, 3:11 pm

Arizona Sports

The D-backs didn’t hold a lead for the first 26 innings of their series with the Colorado Rockies over the weekend, but Sunday that took control right on time.

Down to their final three outs and trailing 4-3, Arizona’s Didi Gregorius and A.J. Pollock recorded back-to-back hits to lead off the top of the ninth. Alfredo Marte then grounded out to drive in Gregorius, and Gerardo Parra capped the rally with a go-ahead sacrifice fly.

J.J. Putz made it a bit interesting in the bottom half of the inning, but the D-backs left Coors Field
with a gritty 5-4 comeback victory.

The Good:

When he came over from the Cincinnati Reds in the three-team trade that sent Trevor Bauer to the Cleveland Indians, shortstop Didi Gregorius was lauded for his ability to play the field.

In three starts with the D-backs, Gregorius has done most of his damage with the bat (.545 batting, two home runs and two RBI).

Sunday, he not only started the ninth-inning rally, but ignited the offense in the fifth with his home run off Juan Nicasio. Nicasio previously had a no-hitter going through the first four innings.

The Bad:

Brandon McCarthy was by no means bad against the Rockies, but he wasn’t good either. Another rough inning (gave up three runs on four hits in the third) soured McCarthy’s outing, and for whatever reason the 29-year-old continues to struggle in the National League.

For a notorious ground ball pitcher, McCarthy hasn’t been terribly accurate with his command in his first four starts with the D-backs. The right-hander continues to leave balls up, and Sunday guys like Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki made him pay.

Noted:

• The loss was the first for the Rockies at Coors Field in 2013.

• In their last four games, the D-backs have scored 10 runs in the eighth inning or later.

• Reliever Matt Reynolds has continued to impress out of the bullpen. The former Rockies pitcher hasn’t allowed a run in 9 1/3 innings of work.

• Arizona is 6-0 this season in series finales.

Up Next:

The D-backs will begin a three-game series with the defending champion San Francisco Giants Monday night at AT&T Park. Wade Miley (2-0) will get the start for Arizona. He will be opposed by right-hander Ryan Vogelsong (0-2) of the Rockies. First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m.

Baseball braodcaster Joe Garagiola, Sr., right,
and his wife Audrie, left, look at memorabilia
lining the walls to the broadcast wing of the
Chase Field press box dedicated in Joe's honor
prior to the baseball game between the Colorado
Rockies and the Arizona Diamondbacks, Sunday,
Sept. 20, 2009, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Paul
Connors)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Dan Haren winds up to
deliver a pitch against the Colorado Rockies in
the first inning of a baseball game Sunday,
Sept. 20, 2009, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Paul
Connors)

Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ryan
Roberts, right, makes a catch over shortstop
Stephen Drew on a fly ball hit by Colorado
Rockies' Clint Barmes in the third inning of a
baseball game Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009, in
Phoenix. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)

Colorado Rockies' Yorvit Torrealba walks back
to the dugout after striking out to Arizona
Diamondbacks pitcher Dan Haren in the second
inning of a baseball game Sunday, Sept. 20,
2009, in Phoenix. Haren struck out the side in
the inning. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)

Colorado Rockies' Ubaldo Jimenez winds up to
deliver a pitch against the Arizona
Diamondbacks in the second inning of a baseball
game Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009, in Phoenix. (AP
Photo/Paul Connors)

Colorado Rockies first baseman Jason Giambi,
left, tags out Arizona Diamondbacks' Mark
Reynolds in the first inning of a baseball game
Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009, in Phoenix. (AP
Photo/Paul Connors)

Colorado Rockies' Yorvit Torrealba, left,
slides safely into home plate before Arizona
Diamondbacks catcher Miguel Montero can field
the throw on a sacrifice bunt by Rockies' Clint
Barmes in the seventh inning of a baseball game
Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009, in Phoenix. (AP
Photo/Paul Connors)

Colorado Rockies' Jason Giambi, right, is
congratulated by teammate Ryan Slipborghs,
left, while trotting back to the dugout after
hitting a two-run home run off Arizona
Diamondbacks pitcher Dan Haren in the eighth
inning of a baseball game Sunday, Sept. 20,
2009, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)

Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Mark
Reynolds, left, prepares to tag out Colorado
Rockies' Carlos Gonzalez, right, in the eighth
inning of a baseball game Sunday, Sept. 20,
2009, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)

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