D-backs run past Pirates, reduce magic number
Sep 21, 2011, 11:47 PM | Updated: Sep 22, 2011, 12:50 am
The Diamondbacks were off and running early against the Pirates Wednesday. The team stole four bases in the first inning.
“It’s just us playing our game,” said centerfielder Chris Young, who along with Willie Bloomquist, Aaron Hill and Lyle Overbay each swiped a bag in helping set a new club record for most stolen bases in one inning.
“That’s how we believe that we should’ve been playing all season,” Young continued. “By no means are we going to change that now. We’re going to use our running game, try to manufacture runs any way we can.”
Young is now tied with Justin Upton for the team lead in steals with 21.
Later in the game Gerardo Parra added the team’s fifth stolen base, matching a season-high for the fourth time this season.
Aggressive base running is something manager Kirk Gibson preached from day one in spring training according to closer JJ Putz. “That’s kind of the way he’s put this team together.
“We’re going to go after teams and we’re going to keep the pressure on them. I think maybe in the last few games we kind of got away from that a little bit. I think Gibby just made it a point today to put them in motion and see what happens.”
The Diamondbacks have stolen 127 bases, second-most in the National League and second-highest total in franchise history behind the 137 stolen bases recorded in 1999.
“That’s who we want to be,” explained Gibson.
NOTES
D-backs reached the 90-win mark for the fifth time in club history, first time since 2007.
D’backs in the 3rd inning scored five runs, the 15th time they’ve scored at least five runs in an inning.
Miguel Montero tied his season-high with 3 hits—including his 18th HR, for the 11th time.
Young has recorded a hit in 8 of his last 12 games (.368, 14-for-38).
Parra has recorded a hit in 17 of his last 21 games (.351, 27-for-77).
Putz converted his 22nd straight save since July 27, his second streak of at least 16-straight which he did from April 1 to May 29; he’s the lone pitcher in baseball to post at least two, 16-or-more-save streaks.
