Diamondbacks blast Rockies to end losing streak at 5
Oct 2, 2021, 9:26 PM
PHOENIX — Pavin Smith reached base five times and the Arizona Diamondbacks chased Antonio Senzatela with a six-run first inning in an 11-2 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Saturday night.
The Diamondbacks pounded six Colorado pitchers for 17 hits, with every starter contributing at least one hit. Eight of the hits were doubles, tying a franchise record accomplished three times previously, the most recent in 2015.
Christian Walker had three doubles and Zac Gallen contributed a two-run double in the big first inning for the D-backs (51-110). The win snapped Arizona’s losing streak at five games, and assured they will not break the franchise record of 111 losses set in 2004. They play Colorado in the season finale for both teams on Sunday.
Gallen (4-10), who won last Saturday against the playoff-bound Los Angeles Dodgers, went six innings and gave up six hits and two runs, both on homers. He struck out six and walked two.
It didn’t take long to gain control of the game. After Gallen retired the side in order in the Rockies’ first, Arizona scored all six runs with two outs. Senzatela (4-10) gave up four consecutive run-scoring hits and Gallen capped the scoring with a two-run double to the right center-field gap following an intentional walk to No. 8 hitter Geraldo Perdomo.
Smith, whose single started the inning, walked following Gallen’s double, and Senzatela was done after 40 pitches. He was charged with six runs, all earned, and gave up six hits while getting just the two outs.
Sam Hilliard homered to right-center leading off the third for Colorado, and Dom Nunez did the same in the fifth. But the Rockies, who rallied from an early seven-run deficit on Friday to beat Arizona 9-7, weren’t able to rally this time.
MEET THE NEW BOSS
The Rockies took the interim tag off general manager Bill Schmidt on Saturday, appointing him to the position full time. He took over for Jeff Bridich, who resigned in April.
Manager Bud Black has known Schmidt since the mid-1990s. Schmidt was then working in Cleveland’s front office — before being hired to run Colorado’s scouting department in 1999 — while Black was wrapping up his pitching career with the Indians and beginning his shift to the evaluation side.
“We’ve worked together. We’ve sat in the stands and scouted together,” Black said before Saturday’s game. “Our communication has been great and I think he’s been very open-minded. He’s very passionate about this game.”
The Rockies, 20-35 through May, are 54-51 since then.
WELCOME BACK
Diamondbacks first-base coach Dave McKay returned to the field Saturday night. The 71-year-old former player and longtime coach had been on the sidelines since a dugout fall during spring training. McKay suffered an injured spleen and broke a rib.
UP NEXT
Neither team has announced a starter for Sunday’s season finale at Chase Field. Black said the Rockies are probably going with a bullpen game.
