Grit Index: Cahill gets first win as D-backs beat Rockies
Apr 26, 2013, 5:38 AM | Updated: 3:11 pm
The Arizona Diamondbacks started their homestand on a positive note with a 3-2 win over the Colorado Rockies Thursday night at Chase Field. Starter Trevor Cahill lasted just five innings, but allowed just one unearned run while striking out six and giving up four walks. With the performance, Cahill earned his first win of the season and now sits at 1-3.
As for the offense, first baseman Paul Goldschmidt hit his fifth home run of the season to help get Arizona the win.
The Good:
Goldschmidt has now reached base safely in 21 of 22 games. Thursday he reached first on an error and scored a run in the 2nd inning. Goldy also blasted a 2-run shot off the left-field foul pole in the fourth inning. He’s now hitting .325 on the season with 18 RBI and 13 walks.
Outfielder Gerardo Parra continued a streak of his own. With a single in the third inning he matched a career-best 10-game hitting streak. He also accomplished that feat from July 29th-August 8th, 2009. Parra finished the night 2-for-2 with two singles and two walks.
The Bad:
The offensive struggles of the middle infield continued with second baseman Josh Wilson and shortstop Cliff Pennington. The two combined to go 0-for-6 in the seven and eight holes Thursday. As Arizona waits for the return of veteran infielders Willie Bloomquist and Aaron Hill from the disabled list, they’d like to get some production from both spots. Pennington is hitting .186 for the season in 20 games played, while Wilson is batting .158 in just 10 games.
Noted:
Heading into Thursday night’s game, D-backs starting pitchers were winless in their last 11 starts, though eight of those were quality starts.
He Said It:
“We won the game. We won the game. He gave us enough to get to Coli (Josh Collmenter), our bullpen rested, J.J. (Putz) threw the ball as good as he’s thrown it all year, it was a good win for us. We rested a lot of guys tonight, didn’t get Miggy (Miguel Montero) in the game, it was a good game.” — manager Kirk Gibson, when asked about starter Trevor Cahill’s command struggles after the game. He didn’t want to focus on the negative, but rather on the positive and the fact that they won the game.
Up Next:
The D-backs return to Chase Field for game two of this four-game series against the Rockies Friday night. Righty Brandon McCarthy will make the start for Arizona, and he’ll be opposed by righty Juan Nicasio of Colorado. The two faced each other last Sunday in Colorado, a game in which McCarthy pitched six innings and gave up four earned runs, while Nicasio was chased from the game after only 4.1 innings of work. It was the lone Diamondbacks win of the series. First pitch on Friday is set for 6:40 p.m. and can be heard on Arizona Sports 620 AM.
