Sedona Red Recap: Ziegler falters in ninth during Diamondbacks loss to Rockies

PHOENIX — It was the same old story at Chase Field (I’m sorry).

Once again, Trevor Story was the difference as the Rockies pulled out a 5-2 win over the Diamondbacks in the second of a three-game series. Colorado’s shortstop connected for a go-ahead, two-run triple off Brad Ziegler in the top of the ninth to right field that David Peralta misplayed.

Story finished the night 2-for-5 with two runs scored, three RBI, a double and a triple.

In 23 at bats this season versus Arizona, he’s hitting .348 (8-23) and has tagged five home runs and drove in 12.

Arizona closer Brad Ziegler was charged with three runs on four hits in a one-third of the ninth inning to fall to 1-1.

The Diamondbacks have lost four of five at home in their first two series against the Rockies as they sit at 12-14 through the first month of the season.

Manager Chip Hale was blunt about what the issue has been when they play Colorado.

“The truth of the matter is they’re just outplaying us,” he said. “They come into our ballpark and they’re playing really good baseball. Just got to suck it up and tell it like it is. They’re beating our butts. We have to come back tomorrow and try to salvage one of these games before a long road trip.”

THE GOOD

It still wasn’t the dominant performance the Diamondbacks were expecting when they signed Zack Greinke to be their ace, but it was a positive result.

Greinke battled through seven innings, giving up two runs on eight hits with eight strikeouts and two walks.

He worked out of having two men on base in three of seven innings. The third inning was the only frame when Greinke’s inefficiency came back to haunt him — Story connected for a one-run double and Gerardo Parra drove in Story from second with a single.

Greinke lowered his ERA from 6.16 to 5.50 in the no decision.

THE BAD

The outfield defense was once again a struggle. Three balls dropped in front of Yasmany Tomas in left field — one was obviously categorized as his fault, the second was borderline and the third he didn’t deserve any blame.

Peralta also misplayed Story’s triple in the left field corner, which probably could have been held to a double.

The bats were quiet as the Diamondbacks were held to five hits, two of which came in the bottom of the ninth, and three walks.

Arizona only had two men in scoring position during the loss.

STAT OF THE GAME

2: It was only the second time this season Ziegler has given up an earned run. He had gone six consecutive appearances without letting someone cross home plate.

HE SAID IT

Greinke on his start:

“Pretty good, felt like I’ve thrown pretty good ever since the first game of the season. Made a hanging slider to Story that was a really bad pitch. Gave up a run on that and then he ended up scoring too because of it. Two runs because of that bad pitch. For the most part, pretty good.”

NOTED

– Brandon Drury hit his third home run in four games on his two-run bomb in the sixth inning that tied the game at two. Drury has four on the season.

– Paul Goldschmidt was 2-4 and raised his average to .247. His on-base percentage this season is an incredible .425 considering what his average is.

UP NEXT

One night after Zack Greinke made some progress, the D-backs’ other big offseason pitching acquisition will try to do the same.

Shelby Miller takes the mound in the 1:10 p.m. start from Chase Field to conclude the three-game series with the Rockies. Miller is 0-2 through five starts and has only pitched 19.2 innings. He has an 8.69 ERA, 1.93 WHIP, giving up six home runs and has only 16 strikeouts to 15 walks.

Colorado counters with Chad Bettis (2-1), who has a 3.77 ERA in five outings.

It’s the final date of Arizona’s 10-game homestead that’s seen it go 3-6 to this point.

All of the action can be heard on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM. The Dbacks BP show starts at 12:30 p.m.