No Goldy, no problem: Owings hits first grand slam in Goldschmidt’s slot
Apr 24, 2017, 11:13 PM | Updated: Apr 25, 2017, 11:22 am
.@cowings5 left no doubt about it. https://t.co/v6YwWQfN9x #PapaSlam pic.twitter.com/MEY3rIqYYs
— MLB (@MLB) April 25, 2017
Hitting in Paul Goldschmidt’s third slot in the batting order as he rested for the first time this season, shortstop Chris Owings’ first career grand slam gave the Diamondbacks a 6-0 lead on the Padres.
“Just to get up that inning was awesome,” Owings said, crediting two-out set-up hits by Zack Greinke, A.J. Pollock and David Peralta. “And we needed it.”
In the 7-6 Arizona win Monday, that was a fact.
Owings teed up a Jhoulys Chacin 92-mph fastball in the bottom of the fifth frame, launching it over the high center field home run marker at Chase Field. It was the first grand slam by a D-back since Yasmany Tomas’ against the Rockies on Sept. 12, 2016.
“C.O. has been a candidate that’s moved all over the lineup, and I know that he’s comfortable doing that in my conversations with him,” manager Torey Lovullo said.
He’s also been raking and after Monday owns a .319 average with 13 RBI, four doubles and two home runs.
Greinke, the starting pitcher, called it a night after six, recording his second 10-plus strikeout game since becoming a member of the D-backs. The ace allowed six hits, one earned run and struck out 11 with no walks for his 25th career 10-plus strikeout game.
Arizona led 6-1 when Greinke exited before the bullpen fell apart in the seventh. Silvino Bracho made his 2017 debut after being called up from Triple-A Reno on Monday but the righty, who hadn’t allowed a run in 6.2 innings with Reno, gave up three earned runs and four total. Three came off a Wil Myers home run, and in just 0.1 innings pitched, Bracho was pulled with Arizona leading just 7-5.
The Padres tacked on another run off a solo homer in the eighth off, but Fernando Rodney closed out the one-run victory for Arizona.
Owings cherished the opportunity to bat third, but he realizes the opportunities won’t come around often knowing Goldschmidt rarely takes days off. Goldschmidt played in the first 20 games of the year.
“It probably won’t happen too many more times, so just enjoy it while you can,” Owings said.
