Inside the Box: D-backs solid in beating sloppy Cubs
Apr 6, 2011, 7:57 PM | Updated: Apr 7, 2011, 5:32 am
After every Arizona Diamondbacks game we’ll examine the
box score and provide you with instant analysis. So it’s
time to go Inside the Box for April 6, 2011: Cubs 6,
Diamondbacks 4
The Arizona Diamondbacks had not won a game since the
season opener on April 1. Having dropped the first two
games of a three game set in Chicago to the Cubs, the team
really needed something positive to happen before heading
home for the warm rainy desert. They got
something and more, cruising to a 6-4 win in the series
finale to push their season record to two and three.
The Good:
Where do we start? The Diamondbacks pounded out 12 hits,
receiving two-hit games from Willie Bloomquist, Miguel
Montero and Chris Young, as well as a three-hit effort
from Gerardo Parra. Oh, and one of Montero’s hits was a
home run, his second of the season.
On the mound the Diamondbacks got a solid effort from
Armando Gallaraga who allowed four runs in seven innings
of work. He struck out five and walked just two, earning
the first win for a Diamondbacks starter this season.
The Bad:
If Juan Miranda earned the starting role at first base he
has yet to really show why. His 0 for 4 day dropped his
average to .250 on the season and he, along with Justin
Upton, were the only D-backs position players to go
hitless on the afternoon. Juan Gutierrez seemed to be on
his way to a bad outing in his own right, but he was able
to limit the damage in his inning to just one run, charged
to Galarraga, preserving the lead for the Diamondbacks.
The Funky:
Thanks to Cubs centerfielder Marlon Byrd, whose diving
attempt at a Chris Young shot to center was a little
short, Young was able to reach third on what was scored as
an RBI triple. The play would have ended there had Cubs
left fielder Alfonso Soriano, backing up the play, not
bobbled the ball before finally getting it back to the
infield. His error allowed Young to come around and score
on the play, completing the Little-League home run and
giving the Diamondbacks an early 2-0 lead.