A.J. Pollock’s seventh inning heroics lift the Arizona Diamondbacks to victory over Atlanta: By the Numbers
Jun 2, 2015, 11:16 PM | Updated: 11:17 pm
After getting shelled in Monday night’s 8-1 loss to the Atlanta Braves, the Arizona Diamondbacks came flying out of the gates Tuesday night at Chase Field, building a 4-1 when D-backs starting pitcher Josh Collmenter exited the game with one out left in the sixth inning.
And then things fell apart.
On in relief of Collmenter, right-hander J.C. Ramirez failed to record an out, as the Braves rallied to score five runs to take a 6-4 lead; a dramatic turn of events that would ultimately chase Ramirez from the game.
However, from then on, the D-backs’ bullpen shut down the Braves lineup, as Andrew Chafin, Daniel Hudson and Brad Ziegler combined to pitch 3.1 scoreless innings to keep Atlanta well within striking distance.
The bullpen’s efforts would prove to be critical, as in the seventh inning, D-backs center fielder A.J. Pollock blasted a two-run home run that would land in the right field pool, giving the D-backs a one-run, 7-6 lead they wouldn’t vanquish.
Below we take a look at Arizona’s late-inning heroics, by the numbers.
412
Though he didn’t get much support from Ramirez after exiting in the sixth inning, Collmenter did make a bit of history. Striking out three batters Tuesday night, the 29-year-old right-hander moved into eighth place on the D-backs’ all-time strikeout list with 412, passing Brian Anderson.
.397
Pollock’s batting average over the last 14 games. Not only did he provide what turned out to be the game-winning runs with his sixth home run of the season — a two-run shot — in the seventh inning, but the center fielder also continued a hot streak that has seen him reach base safely in 12 of his last 14 games. During that span, Pollock has hit four doubles, two triples, three home runs, nine RBI and has induced six walks.
346
The one RBI registered by D-backs first baseman Paul Goldschmidt tied him with Mark Reynolds (346) for seventh on the D-backs’ all-time list.
8
After getting walked four times Tuesday, Goldschmidt has compiled eight walks total in his last five games. And with good reason. Goldschmidt has been hitting the cover off the ball, posting a batting average of .579 with four doubles, three home runs and six RBI during the stretch.
Paul Goldschmidt has reached base 19 times in the last five games. That alone should probably make him an All-Star.
— Luke Lapinski (@LukeLapinski) June 3, 2015
6
The top of the D-backs’ batting order was absolutely frightening at the plate. Combined, Ender Inciarte, Pollock and Goldschmidt went 4-for-9 with six RBI, drawing six walks against the Braves’ pitching staff.
7/26/14
Tuesday’s win over Atlanta marked the first time since July 26, 2014 that the D-backs came back to win a game when trailing after six innings. Arizona trailed 6-5 at the conclusion of the sixth inning before Pollock’s heroics in the seventh.