Grit Index: Goldschmidt’s slam, stellar defense lead Miley, D-backs to win

Jun 6, 2013, 4:33 AM | Updated: 3:07 pm

Arizona Sports

Wade Miley wasn’t perfect by any means during his 6 2/3 innings of work (three runs on 11 hits) Wednesday night in St. Louis, but stellar defense from Didi Gregorius, Gerardo Parra and A.J. Pollock and Paul Goldschmidt’s second grand slam of the road trip proved to be more than enough in the D-backs’ 10-3 blowout victory over the Cardinals.

For Miley, the win was his first since May 8, and his quality start broke a two-game stretch in which he allowed a combined 14 earned runs.

The Good

While Miley allowed at least one base runner in each of the seven innings he worked, the D-backs left-hander founded a way to get out of several jams, including inning-ending double play balls in the second and fifth.

With his blast in the seventh inning, Goldschmidt became the first D-back ever to record two grand slams in one road trip.

Back-up catcher Wil Nieves extended his hitting streak to seven games. He also scored two runs and drove in one.

Willie Bloomquist’s torrid start at the plate since coming off the disabled list continued Wednesday. The 35-year-old recorded two more hits and is now batting .611 through his first four games.

The Bad

Umpire Jordan Baker’s blunder at third base led to a Cardinals’ rally and an Alan Trammell ejection Tuesday night, but he wasn’t quite done torturing the D-backs Wednesday night.

With two on and one out in the bottom of the seventh, Wade Miley induced what appeared to be an inning-ending, double play ball off the bat of Matt Carpenter. However, as the ball made its way towards Willie Bloomquist, it hit off Baker and went into right field for a single.

Carlos Beltran followed with a two-run single, and Miley’s night was done after 6 2/3 innings.

He Said It

“You go through streaks where you feel good, but right now it feels like everyone time I’m up there’s two or three guys on. It’s a real credit to the guys at the top of the order.” — D-backs first baseman Paul Goldschmidt

Noted

• Of Paul Goldschmidt’s NL-leading 53 RBIs, 45 have come in D-backs’ victories.

• Arizona’s 18 road wins are the second-most in the National League.

• With the loss, St. Louis dropped back-to-back games for the first time since April 28 and 29.

• The D-backs’ 10 runs Wednesday were the most they’ve scored in St. Louis since April 17, 2001.

What’s Next

The D-backs and Cardinals will wrap-up their four-game series on Thursday. Right-hander Ian Kennedy (3-3, 4.74 ERA) will look to win his second consecutive outing. He will be opposed by rookie right-hander Shelby Miller (6-3, 1.82 ERA) for the Cardinals. The game is scheduled for a 4:15 p.m. local start time and can be heard on Arizona Sports 620.

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Joe Kelly throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Wednesday, June 5, 2013, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Wade Miley throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Wednesday, June 5, 2013, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Cardinals' Shane Robinson, bottom, is out at second as Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Willie Bloomquist turns the double play during the second inning of a baseball game on Wednesday, June 5, 2013, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Cody Ross falls after being hit by a foul ball during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Wednesday, June 5, 2013, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Cardinals left fielder Matt Holliday misses a ball hit by Arizona Diamondbacks' Jason Kubel during the sixth inning of a baseball game on Wednesday, June 5, 2013, in St. Louis. Holliday was charged with an error and Diamondbacks' Willie Bloomquist scored on the play. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Willie Bloomquist, right, scores after teammate Jason Kubel reached base on a fielding error by St. Louis Cardinals left fielder Matt Holliday as Cardinals catcher Tony Cruz, left, tries to throw Kubel out at third during the sixth inning of a baseball game on Wednesday, June 5, 2013, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Martin Prado, left, scores on a single by Wil Nieves as St. Louis Cardinals catcher Tony Cruz, right, stands by during the seventh inning of a baseball game on Wednesday, June 5, 2013, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Paul Goldschmidt, background left, rounds the bases after hitting a grand slam off St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Maikel Cleto (63) during the seventh inning of a baseball game Wednesday, June 5, 2013, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Paul Goldschmidt, right, is congratulated by teammate Gerardo Parra after hitting a grand slam during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Wednesday, June 5, 2013, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Maikel Cleto walks back to the mound after giving up a two-run single to Arizona Diamondbacks' Gerardo Parra during the eighth inning of a baseball game on Wednesday, June 5, 2013, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Willie Bloomquist is hit by a pitch during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Wednesday, June 5, 2013, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

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