One-run games going D-backs’ way this season

Jun 11, 2013, 4:09 PM | Updated: 4:42 pm

Arizona Sports

Given the way the Arizona Diamondbacks are winning games this season, some may be reminded of the 2011 version that won the NL West.

That team rode a surprising Cy Young candidate in Ian Kennedy as well as an MVP contender in Justin Upton all the way to the NL West crown, tallying many close wins on the way there.

The team won 94 games that season, with 28 being of the one-run variety.

This year’s Diamondbacks, who are pacing the division with a 36-28 mark, are on a similar path, only this time the role of Kennedy is being played by Patrick Corbin and Upton’s spot is being filled by Paul Goldschmidt.

But the success in one-run games has stayed.

The Diamondbacks are now 15-8 in 1-run games this season. Their 15 wins is the most in the majors.

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 11, 2013

Last season’s D-backs were just 15-27 in one-run games.

Many feel a team’s success in close games is largely due to luck, and the D-backs’ trend over the last few seasons would seem to bear that out. Or, maybe, this year’s team just happens to be more clutch than last year’s.

Either way, the nail biters have proven to be beneficial to the D-backs’ record, even if it’s not helping their (or their fans’) stress levels.

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Los Angeles Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw pitches to the Arizona Diamondbacks in the second inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles Monday, May 14, 2012. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

Arizona Diamondbacks starter Ian Kennedy pitches to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles Monday, May 14, 2012. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

Arizona Diamondbacks' A.J. Pollack is tagged out by Los Angeles Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis, trying to score from second on a Willie Bloomquist double in the third inning of a National League baseball game in Los Angeles Monday, May 14, 2012. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Sellers dives into the stands to make a foul catch off Miguel Montero of the Arizona Doamondbacks in the ninth inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles Monday, May 14, 2012. The Dodgers won, 3-1. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Sellers celebrates after diving into the stands to make a foul catch off Miguel Montero of the Arizona Diamondbacks in the ninth inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles Monday, May 14, 2012. The Dodgers won, 3-1. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

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