The Arizona Diamondbacks got back to their winning ways this weekend, picking up a key series win over the San Diego Padres with a 5-4 Sunday victory.
Rookie pitcher Brandon Pfaadt (0-6 7.16 ERA) got the start for the Snakes. After surrendering three runs in the first inning Pfaadt took control, throwing a career high eight strikeouts over 5.2 frames.
“Felt good, rough start but settled in nice after the first. Settled in and gave ourselves a chance to win and came out on top,” Pfaadt said after the game. “Short term memory. Give up runs early and can’t let that affect you.”
Trailing 4-2 heading into the bottom of the eighth, the Diamondbacks rallied behind a Lourdes Gurriel two-run pinch hit home run, tying the game 4-4. Christian Walker and the newly instated Gabriel Moreno hit back-to-back singles, placing runners on second and third after a throwing error.
Jace Peterson was able to draw a 3-1 count leading to an intentional walk which loaded the bases for Alek Thomas. He delivered a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Christian Walker to give the D-backs the lead.
The door was shut in the top half of the ninth, with Paul Sewald picking up his 23rd save of the season.
“We aren’t out of it by any means, we just had to get one and now we can get rolling,” Sewald told reporters after picking up his second save with his new ballclub.
This weekend’s wins couldn’t have come a moment too soon for D-backs fans.
Before Saturday’s 3-0 win, the team had lost nine games in a row and was winless during the month of August. Since the All-Star break they have a record of 7-20.
“Guys were engaged and I just felt a different vibe in the dugout and have felt that in the past couple of days,” said manager Torey Lovullo postgame. “These guys are hungry…these guys are hungry to make something really good happen every single day. To see them smiling again gives me a lot of satisfaction.”
Even with their spotty play since early July, Arizona is currently only 2.5 games back of the final wildcard spot.
Back-to-back wins give the Diamondbacks some crucial momentum, heading into a seven-game road trip against the Colorado Rockies and San Diego Padres.
Game one of a three-game versus the Colorado Rockies begins Monday, with first pitch at 5:40 p.m. at Coors Field.
Merrill Kelly (9-5 3.05 ERA) will get the nod for the Diamondbacks and Chris Flexen (1-5 7.92 ERA) will start for the Rockies.
