D-backs use 5-run fifth to top Rockies in series finale
PHOENIX -- Behind the pitching of Josh Collmenter and a 13-hit outburst by the offense, the D-backs rolled to a 9-1 win over the Rockies on Wednesday night to take the three-game series at Chase Field.
Collmenter (2-3) allowed just one unearned run on five hits over eight innings to pick up the win. Meanwhile, Rockies starter Jordan Lyles was charged with seven runs (six earned) on eight hits in five frames.
"My fastball command was good today, moving in and out" Collmenter said. "I was able to mix in the curveball and the changeup and felt good with both of those. Had a lot of confidence in them and was able to move the ball around, and this is a really aggressive team, so pitching ahead in the count is huge."
The only Rockies hitter to get multiple hits off Collmenter was shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, who went 2-for-4 on the night.
"You know what? He keeps the ball off the barrel," Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. "He adds and subtracts, changes eye level. He knows how to pitch and he pitches off the barrel."
After scoring two runs in their three-game weekend series against the Pirates, the D-backs collected 25 runs against the Rockies. More >
Video: COL@ARI: Goldy lines a run-scoring single to right
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Pacheco haunts former mates: Catcher Jordan Pacheco's three-run homer capped a five-run fifth inning that gave the D-backs a 7-1 cushion. Pacheco was drafted by the Rockies and played for them until being claimed off waivers by the D-backs last year.
Video: COL@ARI: Pacheco drills a three-run shot to left
Walks hurt Lyles: The game got away from the Rockies in that five-run D-backs fifth inning when Lyles walked the bases loaded. Those darned walks always come around to bite you, and all of them scored -- plus a couple more. Yasmany Tomas had a two-run single and Pacheco the three-run homer, his first of the season. More >
Video: COL@ARI: Tomas drives in two on a single to right
Collmenter overcomes rough start: The Rockies capitalized on an error and a pair of hits to score a run and force Collmenter to throw 24 pitches in the first inning. But Collmenter was economical with his pitches after that to complete eight innings.
Video: COL@ARI: Arenado laces a run-scoring single to center
Baserunning gaffes: This series was full of blunders on the basepaths for the Rockies. With the Rockies trailing, 2-1, in the second with one out, Nick Hundley took off from first on Lyles' soft pop toward short right field. When Chris Owings made the catch, it was an easy toss to first to double up Hundley and end the inning.
Overall, Weiss said he wasn't very happy with the team's play in Arizona.
"We didn't play very well this series," he said. "We've got to pitch better and play better."
Video: COL@ARI: Owings makes the grab, doubles up Hundley
QUOTABLE
"When they signed him, that's what we felt like he could do -- he could be a run producer. He just seems to be getting better at all parts of the game on an everyday basis." -- D-backs manager Chip Hale on Tomas
Video: COL@ARI: Tomas singles to right, scoring Peralta
SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
The homer by Pacheco was the first hit by a D-backs catcher this season. It was also the first allowed by Lyles over a span of 43 innings, dating back to Jhonny Peralta's two-run shot in St. Louis on Sept. 14 of last season.
UNDER REVIEW
Corey Dickerson doubled and tried to score on Tulowitzki's single to left. But David Peralta made a perfect throw to Pacheco at the plate, and home-plate umpire Marty Foster called Dickerson out. Weiss challenged, but after a review of 1 minute, 31 seconds, the call was confirmed.
Video: COL@ARI: Call at home confirmed after review in 6th
WHAT'S NEXT
Rockies: The Rockies have the day off on Thursday before opening a three-game set on Friday night against the Padres at Petco Park. The teams split a four-game series last week at Coors Field. It's Eddie Butler (2-1, 3.27) against Ian Kennedy (0-1, 10.80) in a battle of right-handers.
D-backs: After taking Thursday off, the D-backs travel to Los Angeles to open a three-game series with the Dodgers. Former Los Angeles farmhand Rubby De La Rosa will get the start Friday at 7:10 p.m. MST.
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