Grit Index: Goldschmidt leads D-backs past Cardinals in extras
Jun 5, 2013, 5:44 AM | Updated: 4:50 pm
Paul Goldschmidt came up big again for the Arizona Diamondbacks, this time hitting the go-ahead RBI single in the 14th inning to give the D-backs a 7-6 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday night at Busch Stadium.
Goldschmidt wouldn’t have gotten the opportunity to play hero if it wasn’t for Josh Collmenter keeping the D-backs in the game.
The D-backs’ right-hander came out of the bullpen and tossed four shutout innings, while striking out five and walking one. He came away with a much deserved win, his second of the season.
The Good
Another night, another clutch hit for Goldschmidt. The D-backs’ first baseman notched his NL-leading 49th RBI on the eventual game-winning single.
Collmenter continued to shine in his new role as a long reliever. The D-backs certainly benefited from the depth in the ‘pen that the 27-year-old provides.
A.J. Pollock hit a three-run home run, his fifth of the season, and Willie Bloomquist had four hits for the D-backs. Bloomquist is hitting .643 with nine hits and four runs scored in 14 at-bats since returning from the DL on Saturday.
The Bad
The D-backs fell victim to a blown call, which resulted in bench coach Alan Trammell getting ejected in the sixth inning for arguing from the dugout. D-backs’ skipper Kirk Gibson came out and argued the call earlier in the inning after Carlos Beltran was called safe when he stole third base with two outs.
At the time, the D-backs were leading 6-4 and Beltran’s out would have been the third of the inning. Third base umpire Jordan Baker blew the call, opening the door for St. Louis catcher Yadier Molina’s RBI-single which scored Beltran to pull the Cardinals to within one run.
D-backs’ starter Tyler Skaggs didn’t fare well in his second start of the season. Skaggs surrendered five earned runs on six hits in 5.2 innings of work, a stark contrast to the six scoreless innings he tossed against the Rangers on Memorial Day.
Noted
• With the win, the D-backs improved to 7-2 in extra inning games this season.
• Heath Bell notched his 10th save in 12 opportunities for Arizona.
• Trammell’s ejection was the D-backs’ third of the season. Gibson and outfielder Cody Ross were thrown out of a game against the Colorado Rockies on April 20.
• The game lasted four hours and 53 minutes.
What’s Next
The D-backs and Cardinals play game three of their four game series on Wednesday, June 5. Left-hander Wade Miley (3-5, 5.01) looks to get back on track for the D-backs. He will be opposed by right-hander Joe Kelly for the Cardinals. The game is scheduled for a 5:15 p.m. local start time and can be heard on Arizona Sports 620.
