Grit Index: D-backs defeat Dodgers in opener
May 7, 2013, 5:48 AM | Updated: 3:00 pm
Trevor Cahill delivered a strong outing for the Diamondbacks and helped aid his offense, while Paul Goldschmidt and Cody Ross hit back-to-back home runs to propel the D-backs to a 9-2 win over the Dodgers in the series opener.
The Good:
Cahill (2-3) tossed seven solid innings for Arizona, allowing just two runs on six hits with two strikeouts and three walks. The D-backs’ right-hander also helped his own cause at the plate, stroking his first career triple and driving in two runs.
Cahill improved to 5-0 in eight career starts against the Dodgers. He lowered his ERA to 2.10 against LA, which is his best against any team.
The D-backs’ offense hit its stride against Dodgers’ hurler Chris Capuano (0-2). The left-hander got torched for six runs, five earned, on eight hits in four-plus innings of work.
Paul Goldschmidt and Cody Ross went back-to-back in the fifth inning off Capuano. Goldschmidt recorded his sixth long ball of the season, while Ross notched his first homer — a solo blast — as a member of the D-backs.
Goldschmidt saw his average rise to .316 after a four-hit night against the Dodgers. In addition to his six homers, Goldy also has 24 RBI. The 25-year-old leads the D-backs in average, home runs and RBI so far this season.
The Bad:
Second baseman Josh Wilson went 0-for-5 with a run scored, but was the only D-backs’ player who didn’t record a hit on the night.
Stat of the Game:
.800 – Goldschmidt went 3-for-3 against Los Angeles starter Chris Capuano. In his career, Goldschmidt is hitting .800 (12-for-15) with three homers and nine RBI against the southpaw.
Goldschmidt’s batting average is the highest of any player who has logged more than ten plate appearances against Capuano.
Noted:
• With the win, the D-backs improved to 3-1 against the Dodgers this season.
• Arizona outhit Los Angeles by a 15-7 margin.
• The D-backs’ win was just their second victory in the past seven games. Meanwhile, the Dodgers have now lost five in a row to fall to 13-18 on the season.
Up Next:
The D-backs and Dodgers will play game two of their three-game set on Tuesday, May 7th at 7:10 p.m. MST. Right-hander Brandon McCarthy (0-3, 7.22 ERA), who is still in search of his first win of the season, will get the nod for Arizona. He will be opposed by right-hander Josh Beckett (0-4, 5.24), who is also winless this season for Los Angeles.
