(Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
“Obviously, offensively we were quiet until the ninth inning, but that’s the way this team scores runs. We score runs quickly. I don’t want to say we live or die with the home run, but it’s been big for us. We’ve got eight guys [in the starting lineup] that can go deep at any time. That’s a weapon.”
–Eric Byrnes to reporter Steve Gilbert after the game.
The D’Backs won with a homer from Mark Reynolds in the 9th and a homer by Stephen Drew in the 10th. And Drew did not even start the game; he came in as part of a double switch late. So really, the Snakes have more than 8 guys who can go deep at any time. The D’Backs now have 12 homers to lead the majors.
Would that this had happened last October. But that was then and this is now, and now I’ll take it gladly.
Some great D also helped. Arizona turned 4 double plays including one the likes of which I’ve never seen before: a rare 4-6-5 when Orlando Hudson lost a blooper in the sun in short right field. But he quickly recovered and threw to second base where Chris Burke was ready and waiting. Then Burke threw to Reynolds who, likewise, was prepared to take a throw.
In the first inning, Eric Byrnes, batting second again, grounded out to short. What else is new? It looked to me like he was trying to pull an outside pitch. Grounders to short are typically what happens when he does that.
Later on, Yorvit Torrealba of the Rockies demonstrated what you are supposed to do with an outside pitch. The right-handed catcher lined it into right for a hit.
The Rockies scored in the bottom of the third when Tulo singled and stole second, then Helton singled to CF to bring him home. Before that hit, the Rockies announcers said that Helton has now played 162 games against the Diamondbacks and has 105 runs scored and 118 RBI. Make that 119.
I had to go to work and missed all the home run fun as the game was over by the time I got there.
Byrnesie, a 1-5 day with a single that does not produce and RBI or a run scored doesn’t cut it. Pick up the slack, man.
Now, it’s Dan Haren for the home opener against the Dodgers. ‘Bout freakin’ time. This is the third year in a row the D’Backs have started on the road. I’m old enough to remember when teams alternated home and road season starts.
You’ve got a three-game winning streak, guys. Keep it going!
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