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.

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St. Louis Cardinals' Chris Carpenter wipes his forehead as he faces the Arizona Diamondbacks in the second inning of a baseball game Tuesday, April 14, 2009, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Max Scherzer (39) gets thrown out at first base as St. Louis Cardinals' Albert Pujols, of the Dominican Republic, gets ready to catch the ball in the second inning in a baseball game Tuesday, April 14, 2009, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

St. Louis Cardinals' Skip Schumaker, left, applies a late tag as Arizona Diamondbacks' Chris Young slides safely into second base after a double in the second inning of a baseball game Tuesday, April 14, 2009, in Phoenix. Second base umpire Angel Hernandez gives the safe signal in front. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

St. Louis Cardinals' Chris Carpenter throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, April 14, 2009, in Phoenix. Carpenter left the game due to injury before pitching in the fourth inning. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Max Scherzer throws against the St. Louis Cardinals in the second inning of a baseball game Tuesday, April 14, 2009, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

St. Louis Cardinals' Chris Carpenter (29) is examined by head trainer Barry Weinberg as manager Tony LaRussa, bottom middle, talks with Albert Pujols, right, of the Dominican Republic, and Yadier Molina as the Cardinals play the Arizona Diamondbacks prior to the bottom of the fourth inning in a baseball game Tuesday, April 14, 2009, in Phoenix. Carpenter was pulled from the game due to injury. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

St. Louis Cardinals' Joe Thurston (22) congratulates Rick Ankiel after scoring against the Arizona Diamondbacks on a double by Yadier Molina in the fourth inning in a baseball game Tuesday, April 14, 2009, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

St. Louis Cardinals' Albert Pujols, right, of the Dominican Republic, stands on second base after hitting a double as Arizona Diamondbacks' Tony Clark tosses the ball back to the pitcher in the fourth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, April 14, 2009, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Stephen Drew eyes the ball after diving in vain for a ball hit by St. Louis Cardinals' Skip Schumaker for a single in the third inning of a baseball game Tuesday, April 14, 2009, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

St. Louis Cardinals' Chris Carpenter (29) grimaces as head trainer Barry Weinberg examines him while catcher Yadier Molina looks away during a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks' prior to the bottom of the fourth inning Tuesday, April 14, 2009, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Conor Jackson, top, celebrates with teammates Augie Ojeda (11) and Justin Upton (10) after hitting a pinch-hit home run in the eighth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals in a baseball game Tuesday, April 14, 2009, in Phoenix. Cardinals' Yadier Molina is at far left. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

St. Louis Cardinals' Yadier Molina, left, tags out Arizona Diamondbacks' Stephen Drew trying to score on an infield ground ball in the ninth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, April 14, 2009, in Phoenix. Umpire Jim Reynolds looks on at bottom left. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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