D-backs snap 5-game losing streak with extra innings win over Mets

PHOENIX, Ariz. – After not being able to figure out staff ace Jacob deGrom for the majority of the night, Arizona Diamondbacks’ outfielder Adam Jones led the way in a late-inning, four-run comeback against the New York Mets that resulted in a 6-5 walk-off win in the 11th inning at home on Saturday.

Zack Greinke took the mound for the D-backs against deGrom in their third career matchup against each other. However, the right-handed ace seemed off for the majority of his time in the game, and it didn’t take long for the Mets to capitalize on it in this advertised pitcher’s duel.

Pete Alosno doubled off Greinke, scoring Dominic Smith in the first inning and putting the Mets up early. New York then put two more runs on the board in the fourth inning when Todd Frazier hit a two-run homer to left field that scored Michael Conforto.

Greinke requested a mound visit during the following at-bat to express some discomfort he was having with manager Torey Lovullo and the team’s medical trainer, which he later revealed was due to stiffness in his neck.

“I’d say probably just more mentally thinking about what was more of an issue than the actual neck problem,” said Greinke after the game. “I just spent more energy not thinking about how to get guys out and made more mistakes than I usually make.”

Three more singles in the inning led to another run scoring, putting the Mets up by four. Greinke was able to finish the fourth, but it was the end of his night after struggling to find the strike zone for most of game.

He went four innings, allowing seven hits, four earned runs and one walk with two strikeouts. He threw 49 of his 80 pitches for strikes, which is a bigger indicator of how inaccurate he was in this outing.

“We quickly discovered that he had a little bit of neck spasm, neck cramp, and a little discomfort there, but everything kind of settled down by the time we got out there” Lovullo said on Greinke. “I stayed out there to talk over some strategy and Zack just really never got into a rhythm today.”

“One of the things that stands out as well is that our ace didn’t have his best stuff, and Zack Godley comes in and picks him up and gets us to a new part of the game where we can strike.”

Zack Godley was solid in long relief for the D-backs after Greinke left. In four innings of work, he allowed two hits and one earned run. He also struck out two and walked one, and allowed Arizona the opportunity to hang around.

deGrom was as good as advertised for the Mets. The righty frustrated D-backs hitters for most of the night, limiting Arizona to five hits, one walk, and one run while striking out seven in 6.2 innings.

The D-backs finally got the offense rolling in the seventh when Jones doubled and scored on an Ildermaro Vargas RBI single. deGrom attempted to field Vargas’ single unsuccessfully and was a little shaken up after the play. He left the game after the next batter reached base.

The D-backs took advantage with deGrom out of the game in the eighth inning. Tim Locastro kicked the inning off by getting hit by a pitch, his ninth HBP in 53 plate appearances this season. He then scored on a Ketel Marte RBI single in what would be a big inning.

After a sac fly by Eduardo Escobar scored Jarrod Dyson, Jones tied the game with a two-run home run, his 12th HR of the season and his fourth career game-tying home run in the seventh inning or later.

In the 11th inning with two on, Locastro faced a five-infielder shift and drove the game winning RBI single to the outfield, scoring pinch hitter Kevin Cron for the walk-off victory.

The D-backs will look to take the series on Sunday with Merrill Kelly on the mound. Kelly is 4-6 this season with a 4.83 ERA.

First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. with pregame coverage beginning at 12:30 p.m. on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.

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