Grit Index: Cahill struggles, frustrations mount in D-backs’ loss to Rockies

The D-backs offense looked to get going after a dismal performance Friday night, but Rockies starter Jorge De La Rosa only made matters worse for Arizona at Coors Field.

De La Rosa threw six scoreless innings and the Rockies outlasted the D-backs 4-3 to move to 13-4 on the season — their best start in franchise history after 17 games.

The Good:

For the third time in four outings this season, Trevor Cahill didn’t surrender a run in the first inning.

The D-backs right-hander was aided, however, by a beautiful running catch against the wall by A.J. Pollock on a ball hit by Eric Young Jr.

Arizona’s bench continues to come up big in a crunch. With the offense lagging Saturday, Eric Chavez was called upon in the eighth inning and smashed a two-run home run to right field. It was his first long ball as a D-back.

The Bad:

While Cahill didn’t surrender a run in the first, he never found in sort of comfort zone out on the mound. In all seven innings, the second-year D-back allowed at least base runner.

In the second inning, the Rockies scored on a walk, a single and a throwing error by Wil Nieves. In the third inning, they scored two more runs on a triple, a hit batter, a stolen base, a ground out and a sacrifice fly.

When Cahill needed a big strikeout with his fastball or cutter it was nowhere to be found. He had just 3 Ks on the night.

Noted:

• Frustrations mounted towards the latter stages of Saturday night’s contest. Cody Ross was ejected for tossing his bat and helmet in the direction of the D-backs dugout following a third strike in the top of the seventh. Manager Kirk Gibson stepped in, and he was promptly ejected as well by home plate umpire Chad Fairchild.

• Dating back to Thursday’s game against the Yankees, seven of the D-backs’ last eight runs have come in the eighth inning or later.

• With Saturday’s loss, Arizona dropped back-to-back series for the first time in 2013.

Up Next:

The D-backs will finish off their three-game series with the Rockies Sunday afternoon. Right-hander Brandon McCarthy (0-2) will get the start for Arizona. He will be opposed by right-hander Juan Nicasio (2-0) of the Rockies. First pitch is set for 1:10 p.m.