PHOENIX -- Rockies left fielder Gerardo Parra demonstrated Saturday night that dazzling defensive plays are as much preparation as reaction.
Parra saved closer Greg Holland and the Rockies with his diving catch of a Chris Owings line drive for the second out of the ninth inning. The Rockies, who went ahead with three runs in the top of the ninth, beat the D-backs, 7-6, at Chase Field.
According to Statcast™, Parra had to cover 36 feet in 2.9 seconds, and those factors made it a 5-star catch. Never mind that missing would have allowed the tying run, and Holland -- who ended the game by catching Paul Goldschmidt looking at a third strike -- would not be 11-for-11 on save chances.
"No, never nervous. When I jump to the ball I feel 100 percent," Parra said.
Parra, a two-time Rawlings Gold Glove Award winner, made his most important move before the pitch.
"I'm ready for everything," he said. "I know Owings. He's a great hitter -- 3-2 [count], he tried to pull the ball, just move to the line, and when he hit that ball, I felt I had it, because I got a good jump."
Rockies manager Bud Black said Parra could have played it safe, "but man he went for it -- And for us to win, we've got to go for it."
Parra didn't let going 0-for-5 with four strikeouts prevent him from contributing.
"That's my job," Parra said. "I did my job, too."