Lamb rallies D-backs with 2 clutch hits

Third baseman ties game off Jansen in 9th, triples in 12th

July 17th, 2016

PHOENIX -- has found the mindset that works for him in big situations. His D-backs teammates aren't expecting anything less of the clutch third baseman.
Like many times this season, Lamb delivered for Arizona in a 12-inning, 2-1 win over the Dodgers on Saturday night at Chase Field. Not only that, he did so twice.
Lamb drove in the D-backs' first run of the game -- when they were down to their last out against Los Angeles' All-Star closer, . With on second base, Lamb drove a double over the head of left fielder , tying the game in the bottom of the ninth.
"That's unbelievable," said D-backs left fielder , who drove in Lamb for the game-winning run in the 12th. "Another huge situation late in the game like that off maybe the best closer in the game, to have an at-bat like that is unbelievable. But he's been doing that all year, it's just how he's been playing."
Lamb had struggled against Jansen in the past. He knew it, too.
"He's dominated me," Lamb said. "I don't think I've ever gotten a hit off him, honestly."
Lamb had been hitless in seven career at-bats against Jansen, with three strikeouts. That wasn't on the third baseman's mind when he stepped into the batter's box with the game on the line.
"He's one of the best closers in the game, I haven't had success, and instead of thinking about that, I was just like, 'Let me get my pitch and if I don't get it done, I don't get it done.'" Lamb said. "I'm not going to change my plan."
He wasn't done for the night. After both bullpens continued to hang zeros on the scoreboard, Lamb led off the bottom of the 12th. The Dodgers played a shift against the left-handed hitter, with second baseman patrolling shallow right. That didn't matter. Lamb drove the ball down the right-field line for a leadoff triple.

"I hit it hard enough to get through, but I've also hit it hard before right at guys," Lamb said. "I just put it in the right spot, so that was nice."
Lamb came up short in the Final Vote for an All-Star selection, but his breakout season seems deserving. He is one of five players in D-backs history to have at least 21 doubles, 20 homers and eight triples in a season -- and he's the first since in 2008.
"I'm not afraid to fail," Lamb said. "I think the big thing last year was I came up in those situations and there were so many thoughts going through my mind. And now, I have that confidence where it's like, 'OK, if I don't get it done, so what? It's one at-bat.'
"I don't really feel pressure in those situations, I think it's fun."