Sedona Red Recap: Chase Anderson pitches well in D-backs 3-1 victory over the Rockies

The postseason hopes for the Arizona Diamondbacks may be officially dashed, but that didn’t put a halt to their determined efforts in stealing the second game of a three-game series versus the visiting Colorado Rockies in front of 18,529 fans at Chase Field Wednesday night.

Crediting solid pitching from starter Chase Anderson, timely hitting from newcomers such as Phil Gosselin and Socrates Brito and clutch work from a bullpen that continues to pitch lights out in the final innings of games, the D-backs scratched out a 3-1 victory over their NL West rivals, picking up their fourth win overall in their last five outings.

Tuesday’s game got off to a precarious enough start, as a triple from Rockies first baseman Justin Morneau put the go-ahead run 90 feet from first as second baseman D.J. LeMahieu stepped to the plate.  A sacrifice fly from LeMahieu would drive in Morneau, but an errant throw from D-backs center fielder A.J. Pollock botched what may have been a bang-bang play at the plate had the throw been on target.

From that point forward, however, Anderson and the D-backs would tighten the screws.

Exiting the game after 5.1 innings work, LeMahieu’s sac fly would be the only run surrendered by Anderson, as the 27-year-old righty scattered four hits and struck out four, earning the no decision.

The Arizona lineup and bullpen would step in to carry the night, as the D-backs tallied one run in each of the fifth, sixth and seventh innings while a combined relief effort from Keith Hessler, Randall Delgado, David Hernandez, Matt Reynolds and Daniel Hudson would cede only one hit the rest of the way.

THE GOOD

– After notching his first career walk-off hit in Tuesday’s extra inning victory over Colorado, D-backs second baseman Phil Gosselin recorded his first triple of the year with one out in the bottom of the third inning.

– D-backs rookie outfielder Socrates Brito flashed his tantalizing athleticism in the bottom of the fifth, slapping a double to right center field which he completed with a head first slide.  After advancing to third on a passed ball, Brito ultimately tied the game at 1-1 as a result of Gosselin’s sacrifice fly.

– Leading off the bottom of the sixth inning with his 37th double of the season, D-backs first baseman Paul Goldschmidt would later score from second on a RBI single from catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia.  In his last 12 games, “Salty” is hitting .306 (11-for-36) with two doubles, four home runs and 10 RBI.

THE BAD

– A triple to deep center field by Colorado’s Justin Morneau put the Rockies in prime position to draw first blood in the game in the top of the second inning before D.J. LeMahieu’s sacrifice fly ultimately gave the Rockies the early 1-0 lead.  While it surely wasn’t the start Anderson was looking for, the play was made worse by an ugly overthrow from Pollock, who may have had an opportunity to throw out Morneau if not for the wayward toss.

– Following a one-out double by David Peralta in the bottom of the second inning, the D-backs would add two more runners to the base paths thanks to back-to-back walks dealt by Rockies starter Chad Bettis to Jake Lamb and Chris Owings to load the bases.  However, stepping to the plate with two outs, Anderson was unable to plate a run, stranding three to end the inning.

– Though they were able to add a run to their lead in the bottom of the seventh inning by virtue of a Peralta sacrifice fly, the D-backs were unable to mount a more substantial advantage in the frame after failing to do much with the bases juiced, once again ending the inning with three runners aboard.

STAT OF THE GAME

31: Anderson has issued three walks or less in 31 straight starts.

HE SAID IT

“He’s such a gamer.  I mean sliding into the wall down there in foul territory.  He’s definitely going to need a few weeks off after the season is over just to maybe go in a cold dip for awhile.  This guy just brings it every night, as do a bunch of other guys, but he’s the freight train.” – D-backs manager Chip Hale on the lunch pail effort given by Peralta this season.

NOTED

– The game was played under clear skies, meaning an open roof despite a 105 degree first-pitch temperature.

– Ender Inciarte was removed from the original lineup due to a right shin contusion.  He was replaced in the lineup by Brito.

– Rubby De La Rosa, Jeremy Hellickson and Robbie Ray are expected to start the final series against the Houston Astros.

– Goldschmidt remains tied with Chris Young for fourth place on the D-backs’ all-time RBI list (408).

– Pinch-hitting for D-backs relief pitcher Matt Reynolds in the bottom of the eighth inning, Jamie Romak celebrated his 30th birthday Wednesday with a hit, reaching second base on a throwing error by Rockies shortstop Jose Reyes.

UP NEXT

Making his final start of the season, left-hander Patrick Corbin takes the mound in the series-finale against the Rockies.

First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. with pregame coverage beginning 40 minutes earlier on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM.

Last time out, Corbin (6-5) suffered a 6-3 loss at the Dodgers in which he allowed four runs in 4.1 innings.

He’s recorded five straight quality starts at home, going 1-2 with a 2.03 ERA (7 ER in 31.0 IP); while in all seven home games he’s pitched has seen him go five-plus innings with three runs or less allowed.

Over his last six starts, Corbin is 3-2 with a 2.27 ERA.

Right-hander David Hale provides the opposition.

This will be his 12th time starting; and as a starter, Hale is 3-5 with a 5.97 ERA (42 ER in 63.1 IP); while his overall record reads 5-5 and a 6.01 ERA.

Against the D-backs, Hale is 0-1 in three games, including two starts.