D-backs capitalize after bad luck strikes Rox
PHOENIX -- In consecutive innings, the D-backs and Rockies each had a chance to win the game late on Friday night. Both teams couldn't do so.
The D-backs loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the ninth and couldn't plate a run. Then the Rockies had runners on first and second with no outs in the 10th and didn't capitalize. But the D-backs didn't waste their next opportunity, as Cliff Pennington delivered a walk-off sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 10th for a 4-3 win.
"Both teams, top of the 10th for them and bottom of the ninth for us, had opportunities that we should both cash in on," Pennington said. "They got lucky, we got lucky, and it worked out."
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An inning before Pennington's heroics, the D-backs had a prime opportunity for a walk-off win after slugger Paul Goldschmidt was walked to load the bases. But Rockies reliever Scott Oberg struck out Yasmany Tomas and Jake Lamb grounded out, leading to extra innings.
"It's not easy to hit with the bases loaded and a five-man infield, everybody is getting amped up so we understand that," D-backs manager Chip Hale said. "Lamb hits the next one, bullet in the hole, and the guy made a nice play."
In the top of the 10th, Wilin Rosario drew a lead-off walk and Nick Hundley reached on a bunt that D-backs catcher Welington Castillo waited patiently on to roll foul, but it never did. D-backs reliever Andrew Chafin got pinch-hitter Michael McKenry to hit a hard liner at shortstop Nick Ahmed, who doubled up Rosario at second base, then struck out Drew Stubbs to end the inning.
"It can be very deflating," Hale said. "Sometimes you've got to be lucky and I think the ball that McKenry hit we got lucky on."
Castillo led off the bottom of the 10th with a long double off the right-field wall and advanced to third on a hard single to left by Chris Owings. Pennington followed with a fly ball to left, deep enough to score Castillo for the winning run.
Pennington also had a big hit earlier in the game when he tied it at 3 with an RBI single in the sixth inning. The sacrifice fly off of Rockies reliever Yohan Flande marked Pennington's fifth career walk-off plate appearance.
"As a hitter, the pressure's on that guy, not me," Pennington said. "He's the guy that has a chance to lose the game, I just have a chance to win it. It's like shooting a buzzer-beater with a tied game, you can only win."