Game Report: Snakes v. Rockies, April 22, 2009
The Diamondbacks found the formula on Wednesday afternoon: a strong performance from their starter, a crooked number of runs on the scoreboard, and a bullpen that pitched like it mattered. These three things are all you need to know about Arizona's 2-0 win over Colorado.
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1. HAREN WAS STELLAR ... AGAIN. He pitched brilliantly in his first three outings, only to see lesser pitchers Ubaldo Jimenez, Randy Wolf, and Jonathan Sanchez rewarded with victories that should have been his. Once again, Diamondbacks starter Danny Haren pitched deep and well on Wednesday. His line: 7 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 9 K. Haren now boasts an impressive 1.38 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, and 26 K in 26 IP. What else can we say? The man is amazing.
2. THE BATS GAVE HIM THE LEAD. Arizona's offense did not produce much, but the bats came through when it mattered most. The game was scoreless and Haren had thrown 103 pitches when Chris B. Young singled to lead-off the Snakes' seventh. Chris Snyder followed an Eric Byrnes out with another single. With the runner in scoring position, Haren was pulled from the lineup for little-used Ryan Roberts, who took a Jorge de la Rosa pitch inside-out for a pinch single. That scored Young, advanced Snyder to third base, and chased de la Rosa.
An intentional walk to Felipe Lopez and a Stephen Drew strikeout brought Conor Jackson to the plate. Jackson saw ten pitches from Jason Grilli -- fouling off five in the process -- then took a 3-2 slider for ball four, driving in Snyder with the Diamondbacks second run.
3. PENA AND QUALLS SEALED IT. In relief, Tony Pena and Chad Qualls showed why they're the pair in the pen in whom we trust. Pena conceded a two-out single and nothing more in the Colorado eighth. In the ninth, Qualls gave up a pair of singles that brought the go-ahead run to the plate with two outs. We held our breath, then sighed with relief as the Diamondbacks closer retired Clint Barmes to finish the Rockies.
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Haren wins! Qualls saves! The Snakes take the series! (At home and against a division opponent, no less.) Diamondbacks Nation rejoices.
2 responses to this Post, with 2 unique participants
Anonymous
04/22/09
9:53pm
A Sweep Would Be Nice
Especially vs Lincecum and Johnson who owned us last week.
Lucky
7th inning, leadoff man on, Byrnes OUT, runner still at first. Dbacks usual luck is a double play but they finally come through with a hit. Where is the bunting, running, speed stuff? I thought they should move the runner up since Melvin plays the 100 pitch and out system (I hate that automatic removal crap at 100 pitches). I guess the law of averages has to swing your way after so long.
GLAD to see Haren get the win. As it is, he HAS to pitch a SHUTOUT to have a chance! Sad with all that tallent.
First series win feels good. I hope they can IMPROVE on this the next series and SWEEP. THEN I would feel good, or at least BETTER.