Diamondbacks emerge late to win first of doubleheader with Mets: By The Numbers

For quite some time Sunday afternoon, it seemed as even though the Arizona Diamondbacks and New York Mets were slated for a doubleheader, they would be headed for even more innings in the first of the two games.

Luckily for Arizona, the D-backs were able to eke out one run in the top of the ninth to break a tie. The two teams had been knotted at 1-1 since the end of the first inning.

Even though they collected only five hits in the game, the Diamondbacks claimed a 2-1 victory in the first of two Sunday contests, earning their 20th victory of the year.

Here’s a look at the first of two games Sunday by the numbers:

6

For just the sixth time in Diamondbacks franchise history, the team turned five double plays. It’s the second time Arizona has reached that feat this season — the other being April 6 at Colorado. The single-game franchise record is six double plays, which happened on Aug. 7, 2013, versus Tampa Bay. D-backs starter Bronson Arroyo induced the first four double plays Sunday, and he now has 11 to his credit on the season.

8

Both teams left a lot of runners stranded in the contest. The Diamondbacks went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position, while New York drove in just one of 13. Both clubs left 10 runners on base.

9

Shortstop Chris Owings committed an error on a ground ball in the sixth inning, his ninth of the year. Coincidentally, he caused the Mets’ lone error in the game when he grounded to third baseman David Wright in the ninth, who threw to second basebaman Daniel Murphy, who dropped the ball, allowing A.J. Pollock to score the winning run. Owings was the hitter when the D-backs scored both their runs in the game. His first-inning shot to left field was his third home run of the year.

10

Mets starting pitcher Rafael Montero baffled Diamondbacks batters in his 6.0 innings of work. He struck out 10 opponents in that span, while only allowing two hits — one of which was Owings’ homer. Montero, however, did walk three batters in his no decision.

14

Addison Reed picked up his 14th save of the year, but it was an adventure getting there. He struck out two in the ninth inning, but allowed two singles with one out. With two outs, Ender Inciarte had to make a tough grab in left on Murphy’s fly ball to preserve the Diamondbacks’ win.

20

The Diamondbacks improved to 20-31 on the season with the win, including 14-13 on the road. New York fell to 21-27. Arizona reached its 20th win in 2013 in the 35th game of the year, so the team is 16 games behind last year’s pace.

38

Although both Arroyo and Montero went six innings Sunday, the Mets starter threw 38 more pitches (113-75) than his counterpart. Both pitchers left the game with a 1-1 tie. Evan Marshall pitched only 0.2 innings, but picked up the second win of his career, while Mets reliever Jenrry Mejia was credited with the loss.