D-backs, Mets combine for 7 solo home runs in Arizona victory

It looked like the Arizona Diamondbacks might pull out a win in a home-run filled game because of a seventh-inning, bases-loaded walk.

But then shortstop Amed Rosario hit a solo home run in the top eighth off Archie Bradley. The D-backs’ lead was cut from a comfortable 4-2 to a worrisome 4-3.

It was the fifth solo home run of the game.

Throughout the first six innings, the teams traded off home runs. Mets right fielder Brandon Nimmo started the game off with a two-out home run in the first, and then D-backs first baseman Paul Goldschmidt followed with a shot to left in the third.

Goldy throws it back into the bleachers. #GenerationDbacks pic.twitter.com/QwOUpEmg7J

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) June 15, 2018

In the fourth inning, left fielder David Peralta blasted the ball to straight-away center. It hit just above the yellow line.

He said he made a change with his hand placement on the bat over the offseason.

“(I) put them down a little bit to try to elevate a little more (on) the fastball,” he said.

More on that later.

After Mets center fielder Michael Conforto hit another solo home run in the sixth, both starters were pulled. It appeared the D-backs’ fearsome bullpen trio of Yoshihisa Hirano, Archie Bradley and Brad Boxberger would stop the parade and cruise to victory.

But then Rosario went deep. He has four home runs this season – three have come against Arizona.

Not to worry – David Peralta blasted a home run to right off a 96-mph fastball to extend the lead to two.

It was his second solo home run of the night. He now has 14 home runs this season, matching his 2017 number.

This was the sixth solo shot between both teams.

David Peralta’s 2nd homer of the night gives him the team lead with 14 and the @Dbacks a big insurance run. pic.twitter.com/0hvHZQVwhp

— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) June 15, 2018

“Last year, I was hitting the ball hard but to the ground, so I said, ‘OK, why not put it in the air and see if it’s gong to be a better result?'” Peralta said. “It’s working really good right now.”

Jake Lamb wanted in on the party, too. Two batters later, he hammered his own solo home run beyond Peralta’s most recent in right.

Seven of the nine runs on Thursday came off solo home runs.

The D-backs starting pitcher, Matt Koch, gave up two of the Mets’ three. He pitched well enough, allowing only three hits, but he still has a tendency to give up fly balls.

Koch has now given up 14 home runs over 66 innings. His 1.9 HR/9 is around 90th in the league, according to Team Rankings. His grounder-to-fly ball ratio, at 0.76, falls in the lower half of the 105 pitchers who have thrown at least 60 innings, according to ESPN.

Despite that, the basic numbers are there: two runs off three hits should typically be enough to get your team the victory. He’s now 2-0 with a 3.50 ERA over his last three starts.

“A couple solo homers. It’s a lot better when they’re solo,” Koch said. “I thought they were decent pitches that they just got the barrel to, but other than that, it was pretty good.”

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