D-backs upend Braves on Pollock's late HR
PHOENIX -- A.J. Pollock hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the seventh inning to lift the D-backs to a 7-6 win over the Braves on Tuesday night at Chase Field.
Pollock's opposite-field blast came on a 1-0 pitch from Braves reliever Brandon Cunniff, landing in the swimming pool in right-center. It was the sixth homer of the year for the center fielder, who has hit safely in 12 of 14 games and batted .397 during that stretch.
"I just got a pitch middle-away, I was trying to put it in the gap and watch Ender [Inciarte] run and hopefully get that run in," Pollock said. "Fortunate enough, it went over the fence."
Video: ATL@ARI: Hale talks about Pollock's improvement
Braves starter Shelby Miller had his shortest outing of the year, lasting just 4 1/3 innings and giving up a season-high four runs on six hits and a season-high six walks. D-backs starter Josh Collmenter took his third straight no-decision, giving up three runs in 5 2/3 innings.
"I just didn't get in the groove type thing, but those kinds of days happen," Miller said. "I mean, you're human. You look at Felix Hernandez's start [on Monday night in a Mariners' 7-1 loss to the Yankees] and other guys who are doing well have poor starts. That kind of stuff's going to happen."
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Doing it all: Ender Inciarte helped the D-backs with his bat, glove, and speed. He reached base four times, driving in two runs with a single in the second and walking ahead of Pollock's go-ahead homer. Inciarte also swiped two bases and made a diving catch in foul territory in the third on a Jace Peterson fly ball, crashing hard into the wall but holding on. Inciarte made a nice running catch on a Freddie Freeman liner to end the third.
Video: ATL@ARI: Inciarte shows off at plate and in the field
"Into the security guard, I think he kicked him in the head," D-backs manager Chip Hale said. "Well we had [Phoenix Coyotes captain Shane Doan] here [Monday], so I think he was inspired by him."
Bats come to life: After Collmenter exited with runners on second and third and two outs in the sixth, the Braves came through with several big hits against the bullpen. A.J. Pierzynski hit a two-run single to right off of J.C. Ramirez, followed by an RBI double off the left-field wall from Jonny Gomes that tied the game at 4. Then, Todd Cunningham gave the Braves a 6-4 lead with a double down the left-field line off of Andrew Chafin.
Video: ATL@ARI: Braves take lead after five runs in the 6th
First base is yours: D-backs slugger Paul Goldschmidt was walked in each of his first four plate appearances, the last two times intentionally. It was the second time in three games that Goldschmidt matched his career high in walks. Mark Trumbo was unable to capitalize, however, going 0-for-5 in the cleanup spot.
Video: ATL@ARI: Goldschmidt walks with bases loaded in 2nd
Scoring early: The Braves got to Collmenter with two out and nobody on in the first. Freeman singled, stole second and scored on a Nick Markakis double. Markakis was stranded on second when Juan Uribe whiffed looking, and that was it for the Atlanta offense in the opening innings.
Video: ATL@ARI: Markakis drives in Freeman on double in 1st
QUOTABLE
"It's not easy. That's just who he is, he's locked in from the time, I think, he gets up at home." -- Hale, on Goldschmidt, who went 1-for-1 with a double and four walks
WHAT'S NEXT
Braves: The Braves end a 10-game road trip through Los Angeles, San Francisco and Phoenix on Wednesday with a 3:40 p.m. ET start at Chase Field. It'll be right-hander Mike Foltynewicz (3-2, 3.96 ERA) on the hill for Atlanta. The Braves have an off-day Thursday before opening a seven-game Turner Field homestand Friday night vs. the Pirates.
D-backs: Rubby De La Rosa (4-2, 4.50) takes the mound in the series finale Wednesday at 12:40 p.m. MT looking to build on some of the success he had in May. The right-hander is 2-0 with a 3.71 ERA in his past five starts.
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