The 5: Observations of note from the D-backs’ first series of 2017
Apr 7, 2017, 8:09 AM | Updated: 11:42 am
The Arizona Diamondbacks celebrate after a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants, Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Phoenix. The Diamondbacks won 9-3. (AP Photo/Matt York)
(AP Photo/Matt York)
So that’s what getting off to a good start feels like.
The Arizona Diamondbacks won their first series of 2017 by taking three of four games from the San Francisco Giants at Chase Field. Though it was only four games, Arizona’s success was a departure from some troubling numbers from last season. First, the D-backs posted a paltry .407 winning percentage at Chase Field. Secondly, success against San Francisco was hard to come by last year as the Giants won 13 of the 19 games between the two teams and outscored the Snakes by 21 runs.
Here are five observations from the D-backs’ successful opening series.
First try
A year ago, it took until May 17 for the D-backs to record their first series win at Chase Field.
That it took the first series of the year under first-year manager Torey Lovullo might be a good sign. Even better, that home series victory comes against one of the NL West division’s juggernauts in the Giants.
It was the first four-game series win over San Francisco since 2008.
Pinch-hitting success
The D-backs inked infielder Daniel Descalso and outfielder Jeremy Hazelbaker expecting them to play as a backups, but they also probably liked the fact both those players succeeded at the plate as pinch-hitters. Both had better batting averages as a pinch-hitter compared to any other positions they played in 2016.
Every one of Arizona’s wins in the San Francisco series came with Descalso or Hazelbaker recording an RBI. Descalso’s ninth-inning RBI in the Sunday season opener tied the game and set up a win. Hazelbaker’s in Game 3 of the series gave Arizona a 5-4 lead in the sixth, while his RBI in the sixth inning Thursday padded a three-run lead that would hold.
Boy, was he missed
Through the first series of the year, it’s clear there’s no rust on center fielder A.J. Pollock following his near-year off after undergoing elbow surgery. He must have knocked it all off in 12 late-season appearances last season.
Pollock is 8-for-19 (.421) with three doubles, a home run and walk and five RBI
Aggressive much?
The D-backs have been one of the most aggressive offensive teams to begin 2017.
Sure, playing in hitter-friendly Chase Field might pad a four-game start to the year, but Arizona is tied for the MLB lead with four stolen bases and two attempts that were foiled.
At the plate, Arizona ranks third with 40 strikeouts. But they are tied with the Dodgers for the MLB lead with 27 runs scored, stand alone with 43 hits, 25 RBI and a .303 team average.
Knocking ’em in
The D-backs impressed in many offensive categories in their first series of 2017, but maybe no single number was more impressive than their work with runners in scoring position.
Arizona terrorized San Francisco pitching by batting .462 (12-for-26) with RISP in their three victories.
For the entire series, D-backs hitters batted .394 (13-for-33) in that situation, the second-highest mark in baseball through the season’s first five days. Only the Boston Red Sox (.417) have fared better.
