Grit Index: Jason Kubel’s walk-off single propels D-backs to win over Reds

This is becoming an all too common occurrence.

The Diamondbacks post their 17th win on their last at-bat, after Jason Kubel hits a walk-off, two-run single in the bottom of the 9th for a 4-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds in front of 30,567 at Chase Field Saturday.

It was Kubel’s third career walk-off hit and the team’s sixth of the season.
It came after Heath Bell failed to close the door on the Reds in the previous half inning, allowing a two-run home run to Jay Bruce, who had already homered earlier in the game.

The ninth inning dramatics overshadowed a tremendous pitcher’s duel between Patrick Corbin and Mike Leake.

Corbin went eight innings for the second straight start, but was denied his 10th victory, yet again.

“I’m trying to get every win, no matter what game it is,” he said after his fourth attempt at trying to become the first-ever D-backs pitcher to open a season 10-0.

Leake, the former ASU Sun Devil, went eight innings as well and was perfect over the first 5.2 innings before Corbin spoiled his night with a double down the left field line. Gerardo Parra followed with a two-run home run, ending the shutout and helping set up the Diamondbacks’ fourth straight win.

The Good:

Parra has hit safely in 10 straight home games (.351, 13-for-37) and in 15 of his last 16 games overall (.344, 22-for-64).

The Bad:

Bell has allowed a run in five straight outings for an ERA of 15.75 (7 ER in 4.0 IP); he’s allowed a home run in five straight appearances.

D-backs starting pitchers are winless in the last 15 games.

Stat(s) of the Game:

0: Number of times the Diamondbacks have been shutout; every other team in baseball has been shutout at least three times, including the Atlanta Braves who were blanked for the 11th time Saturday, 2-0 at Milwaukee.

Noted:

• Manager Kirk Gibson earned his 250th victory, tying Buck Showalter for third place on the team’s all-time wins list.

• The Diamondbacks signed 36th overall pick Aaron Blair, a right-handed pitcher out of Marshall University.

He Said It:

“I don’t know,” Gibson said when asked how long he can keep Bell in the closer’s role. “I might have to put some thought into that.”

“Plain and simple,” Bell said. “I just need to execute pitches a little bit better.”

Up Next:

The three-game weekend series concludes Sunday with Randall Delgado making his third appearance and second start for the Diamondbacks.

Delgado (0-0, 4.00) held the Florida Marlins to two runs over seven innings on June 18 but did not figure in the walk-off, 3-2 win. He’ll be opposed by right-hander Matt Latos, who earlier this week saw his stretch of 21 consecutive regular season starts without a defeat end in a 4-0 loss against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Latos (6-1, 3.20) is 1-0 in three career starts against Arizona.

First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. with pregame coverage beginning at 12:40 p.m. on Arizona Sports 620.

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