D-backs dig out of 6-run hole to topple Braves
PHOENIX -- The D-backs overcame a six-run deficit, using a three-run rally in the seventh inning to get past the Braves, 9-8, on Wednesday afternoon at Chase Field.
Chris Owings tied the game at 7 with an RBI single, and Jarrod Saltalamacchia pushed the D-backs ahead with a sacrifice fly to center off Braves reliever Jim Johnson, who took the loss. Yasmany Tomas collected three hits, and A.J. Pollock went 2-for-4 with a home run for the D-backs, who trailed, 6-0, in the second and matched the largest deficit they have come back to win from in club history.
"Proud of the offense for not giving up or not trying to do too much," Pollock said. "We were really just out there trying to scratch and claw."
Video: ATL@ARI: Owings lifts a run-scoring single to right
Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman went 2-for-5 with a pair of home runs and four RBIs. Starter Mike Foltynewicz gave up five runs on eight hits in 5 2/3 innings, as the Braves finished a 4-6 road trip by dropping two of three to the D-backs.
"We had a chance to go 6-4 or maybe even better than that if ... those innings that they scored, those middle innings, if we get some shutdowns there," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said.
D-backs starter Rubby De La Rosa gave up a season-high seven runs on nine hits in five innings. Reliever Andrew Chafin earned the win for the second consecutive day, pitching a scoreless seventh inning.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Early offense: For the second consecutive game, Nick Markakis hit an RBI double in the top of the first to put the Braves up, 1-0. They struck for five more runs against De La Rosa in the second. Cameron Maybin laced a two-out single down the right-field line with the bases loaded to score two, and Freeman followed with a three-run blast to right to stretch the lead to 6-0.
Video: ATL@ARI: Maybin drives in two on a single to right
Comeback kids: The D-backs' rally from six runs down matched the largest deficit they've come back from to win in franchise history. The D-backs accomplished the feat by chipping away, scoring a run in the second, two in the third, one in the fifth, one in the sixth, three in the seventh and one in the eighth.
"It's hard, but you've got to keep the same mindset you came into the game with, which is we're trying to get guys on base and not try to do too much," Pollock said. "You can kind of get into a little bit of a trap when you get down that big that early, and I thought we did a really good job. We were satisfied with getting one run in an inning and getting back after it the next inning, and it really paid off late in the game." More >
Video: ATL@ARI: D-backs take lead with three runs in 7th
Twice as nice: Freeman went deep for the second time with two outs in the fourth, his first multihomer game of the season and sixth of his career. The Braves' first baseman has a 13-game hitting streak against the D-backs, batting .393 with five homers and 19 RBIs during that stretch.
Video: ATL@ARI: Freeman connects on two homers vs. D-backs
"It's a nice dark background for the batter's eye and the ball carries here," Freeman said of hitting at Chase Field. "So it's always a nice place to go."
A.J. a hot hitter: Pollock homered in the fifth inning to cut the Braves' lead to 7-4. It was the second homer in as many days for Pollock, marking the first time in his career he has homered in consecutive games. It was also Pollock who started the winning rally in the seventh with a double.
Video: ATL@ARI: Pollock hammers a solo homer to left-center
• D-backs acquire Castillo, Leone, two prospects from Mariners for Trumbo, Nuno
UNDER REVIEW
Gonzalez used a challenge on the second play of the game when Maybin was called out on a close play at first after hitting a grounder to short. The call was overturned, and shortly after Maybin scored from first on Markakis' double.
Video: ATL@ARI: Maybin safe at first after overturned call
Gonzalez used another challenge in the seventh, when Owings was called safe stealing second with two outs on Braves catcher Christian Bethancourt. The call was confirmed and Owings remained a perfect 8-for-8 on stolen-base attempts this season.
Video: ATL@ARI: Owings steals second, confirmed after review
WHAT'S NEXT
Braves: After Thursday's off-day, the Braves open a seven-game homestand with a three-game series against the Pirates on Friday at 7:35 p.m. ET. Williams Perez (1-0, 2.66 ERA) takes the mound looking for his third straight quality start. It's the right-hander's fourth start after beginning his season in the bullpen.
D-backs: The D-backs open a four-game series against the Mets on Thursday at 6:40 p.m. MST with Jeremy Hellickson on the mound. Hellickson has won his last two starts, allowing five earned runs over 12 2/3 innings.
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