D-backs’ streak of innings with lead ends as third-longest since 1920

Sep 2, 2017, 7:29 PM | Updated: Sep 3, 2017, 12:54 pm

Arizona Diamondbacks' J.D. Martinez crosses home plate after hitting a three-run home run off Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Jon Gray in the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

BY MATT LAYMAN

Arizona Sports

The D-backs finished so many innings with the lead in a ballgame that it’s become one of the longest such streaks in the entire “live ball” era.

Arizona led at the conclusion of every inning since the third inning of their contest on Aug. 27 against the Giants. That spanned nearly six full games and three series — against the Giants and Dodgers and two games against the Rockies — before a scoreless first Sunday against Colorado ended the streak at 52 frames.

That marked the third-longest streak of its kind since 1920.

The streak, of course, wouldn’t be possible if not for Arizona’s knack for scoring in the first inning lately, something the team has done all week long.

Ahead of the D-backs in the record books are the 1963 St. Louis Cardinals (53) and the 1983 Baltimore Orioles (55).

Statistics courtesy of STATS LLC via the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Follow @mattjlayman

Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt falls back as he pulls in a pop foul off the bat of Colorado Rockies' Ian Desmond to end the fourth inning of a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in Denver. The Diamondbacks won 6-2. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Rockies catcher Jonathan Lucroy, left, steps on home plate to force out Arizona Diamondbacks' Daniel Descalso as he tries to score from third base on a ground ball hit by David Peralta to Rockies relief pitcher Chris Rusin during the sixth inning of a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in Denver. The Diamondbacks won 6-2. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Rockies reliever Pat Neshek watches a pitch to Arizona Diamondbacks' J.D. Martinez during the seventh inning of a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in Denver. The Diamondbacks won 6-2. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Rockies' Charlie Blackmon heads back to the dugout after striking out with two runners on base against the Arizona Diamondbacks to end the seventh inning of a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in Denver. The Diamondbacks won 6-2. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Jake Lamb throws to first base to put out Colorado Rockies' DJ LeMahieu during the eighth inning of a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in Denver. The Diamondbacks won 6-2. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Arizona Diamondbacks' J.D. Martinez watches his RBI single off Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Tyler Chatwood during the ninth inning of a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in Denver. The Diamondbacks won 6-2. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Rockies' Nolan Arenado reacts after lining out to Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Ketel Marte during the eighth inning of a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in Denver. The Diamondbacks won 6-2. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Arizona Diamondbacks' J.D. Martinez gestures after hitting an RBI single off Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Tyler Chatwood during the eighth inning of a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in Denver. The Diamondbacks won 6-2. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Tyler Chatwood heads to the dugout after giving up two runs to the Arizona Diamondbacks during the eighth inning of a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in Denver. The Diamondbacks won 6-2. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder David Peralta, right fielder J.D. Martinez and center fielder A.J. Pollock, from left, run from the outfield after the Diamondbacks closed out the Colorado Rockies in a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in Denver. The Diamondbacks won 6-2. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Fernando Rodney applauds after retiring Colorado Rockies' Jonathan Lucroy for the final out of a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in Denver. The Diamondbacks won 6-2. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Rockies' Nolan Arenado reacts after striking out while swinging at a pitch from Arizona Diamondbacks starter Patrick Corbin in the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Arizona Diamondbacks' David Peralta, left, congratulates J.D. Martinez who returns to the dugout after hitting a three-run home run off Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Jon Gray in the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Jon Gray delivers to Arizona Diamondbacks' David Peralta in the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Paul Goldschmidt adjusts his batting gloves as he leans over the dugout rail before batting against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Patrick Corbin delivers to Colorado Rockies' Nolan Arenado in the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Patrick Corbin delivers to Colorado Rockies' Charlie Blackmon in the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Arizona Diamondbacks' J.D. Martinez crosses home plate after hitting a three-run home run off Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Jon Gray in the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Arizona Diamondbacks third base coach Tony Perezchica, left, congratulates J.D. Martinez, center, who touches third base after hitting a three-run home run off Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Jon Gray in the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in Denver. Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado, right, looks on. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Arizona Diamondbacks' J.D. Martinez follows the flight of his three-run home run off Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Jon Gray in the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black throws batting practice before his team hosts the Arizona Diamondbacks in a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Rockies right fielder Carlos Gonzalez, left, jokes with shortstop Alexi Amarista as they wait for their time in the cage during batting practice before hosting the Arizona Diamondbacks in a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Rockies special assistant to the general manager Vinny Castilla, right, greets Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo as the teams take batting practice before a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

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