Souza reignites offense, makes spectacular catches in D-backs win
Aug 29, 2018, 10:00 PM | Updated: 10:16 pm
Arizona Diamondbacks right fielder Steven Souza Jr., rear, catches a fly ball hit by San Francisco Giants' Gregor Blanco during the sixth inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2018. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
(AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Sometimes, the box score does tell the story.
Through two games against the Giants in San Francisco, the Arizona Diamondbacks had not scored a run.
Needless to say, this was coming at a bad time. Entering Wednesday’s action, the D-backs were tied with the Colorado Rockies at the top of the NL West and the Los Angeles Dodgers were only a game back. After winning eight of their last 12, two losses in a row is all it took for the D-backs to suddenly be sweating as leaders of the division.
That called for a switch-up, and D-backs manager Torey Lovullo decided that would be right fielder Steven Souza Jr. leading off for the first time this season on Wednesday night.
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That switch-up paid off, as Souza had two RBI and made terrific defensive plays while starter Zack Godley pitched well in a 3-1 D-backs win.
Souza proved why the move was worth it in his second at-bat, drilling a fastball over the left field wall for a solo home run and the first run of the game.
Lead-off hitters can crush, too.@SouzaJr's home run ends the @Dbacks' 25-inning scoreless drought. pic.twitter.com/49ecYErN1n
— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) August 30, 2018
The homer marked the D-backs’ first run since they scored five in the third inning against the Seattle Mariners on Sunday, 25 innings prior in game-time action.
Souza wasn’t done there.
In the next inning, a Nick Ahmed single brought home Ketel Marte and a sacrifice bunt from pitcher Zack Godley advanced Ahmed to second.
Souza was next up and had another hard-hit ball at a low angle to left. This time, it wouldn’t go over the wall, but hit the wall instead for an RBI double and a 3-0 D-backs lead.
The irony somewhat twisted into Souza leading off is that Jon Jay, the player Souza rotates with for the third outfield spot alongside David Peralta and A.J. Pollock, has hit in the No. 1 spot in nearly every one of his starts for the D-backs.
Souza’s impact was felt more in the field, where he made what could be the defensive play of the year by a D-back in the sixth inning, breaking out in a full sprint and diving with full extension to make a catch.
Wow, full extension to take away extra bases! Have a night, @SouzaJr. pic.twitter.com/3r4zTfH4Mb
— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) August 30, 2018
In the eighth, Souza made a similar play coming towards home plate, laying out again to make a great catch.
The Giants should stop testing @SouzaJr. He's aced each one. pic.twitter.com/uRDDfgYpk7
— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) August 30, 2018
Elsewhere, Godley had one of his better outings of the season.
While Godley did hit three batters, he only allowed one base hit through seven innings and didn’t walk a batter.
He ran into some slight trouble in the eighth, giving up a single to Gorkys Hernandez and walking Hunter Pence after recording two outs.
Lovullo decided that was it for Godley, bringing in Archie Bradley to end the eighth. The Giants got one run back off Bradley, though, but the reliever escaped and kept the lead at two runs into the ninth inning.
That left Godley’s line at 7.2 innings pitched, two hits, one walk and three hit batters on one run earned.
Andrew Chafin recorded one out in the ninth and Brad Boxberger closed out the last two for his 30th save of the season and a D-backs win.
