Arizona Diamondbacks: Zack Godley gains important win WC hunt

By Mark Brown | Sep 15, 2017

Of his last 15 hits, A.J. Pollock has 10 for extra bases, and 12 of his last 18 hits have produced at least one run or more. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

By splitting series with the Colorado Rockies, the Arizona Diamondbacks maintain their five-game lead for National League the top wild card spot.

By the end of the day, the number could be an interesting three or a comforting five.

In the end, the Arizona Diamondbacks made sure the number was five. That’s the margin they created between themselves and the Colorado Rockies for the top spot in the National League wild card race.

By virtue of their 7-0 victory over the Rockies before 20,317 in Chase Field Thursday afternoon, that number increased to five. With the victory, the Diamondbacks hold that five-game lead over the Rox, and have 15 games to play. That also includes a 7 ½ game over both the Cardinals and Brewers for a wild card spot.

In one of the most important games of the season, manager Torey Lovullo told Call to the Pen his players clearly recognized the significance.

"“We knew what happened here in the first two games of this series,” he said, and reference to two Colorado wins. “After those games, we could have flat-lined, said we have a one-game on them and then see what happens. But we went out and executed, created a little separation, and put more meat back in the bone.”"

If the Diamondbacks recognized the urgency of the moment, they jumped out on their noted expression. That is scoring early and putting immediate pressure on the Rockies.

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With a five-spot in the opening frame, aided by three walks from Rox starter Chad Bettis, the offense gave starter Zack Godley more than enough breathing room. Throughout this one, Godley mastered the strike zone and his signature pitch, an effective sinker, was in clear view. That resulted in two double plays, and only six fly balls to outfielders throughout his outing.

Overall, Godley went an efficient eight innings, allowed no runs, five hits, walked none and fanned seven hitters. Only two runners reached second base. The Rockies had first and second with one out in the second, but Ian Desmond grounded into a double play. Later, Desmond reached second with a two-out double in the eighth.

Afterward, Louvllo told Call to the Pen that Godley’s cutter and curve were the most effective in this game. Godley went to another level, and told Call to the Pen these pitches have been successful from Day One.

"“The curve has been one of my best pitches all year,” he said. “The cutter, too. These have been my best two. I’ve mixed in the change. Yes, the key is to keep hitters guessing and off-balance.”"

The offense was jump-started by centerfielder A. J. Pollock, who drove in four with a bases-loaded double in the first and RBI single in the fifth. That includes eight RBIs in his last two games, and Pollock, mired in an uncharacterized batting average around .260 (life-time average coming into this season was .286) is getting hot. In recent times at the plate, 10 of his last 15 hits have been for extra bases, and 12 of his last 18 hits produced at least one RBI.

To account for this surge, Pollock told Call to the Pen after Thursday’s game that he continues to trust the process.

"“Look, this is a funny game,” he said. “There is no change how I feel. I’ve felt good for a long time. This is a game of ups and down, and you just have to stay after it.”"

Next

The Diamondbacks now embark on their next-to-last road trip. That begins Friday night at AT&T Park.

Opening the set for Arizona is lefty Robbie Ray (13-5, 2.91 ERA) and the Giants counter with Jeff Samardzija (9-13, 4.47). On Saturday, look for Zack Greinke (16-8, 3.01) going against lefty Madison Bumgarner (3-8, 3.55). In the finale Sunday afternoon, Taijuan Walker (9-7, 3.32) matches up against Chris Stratton (2-3, 4.07).

Next: Odd home run totals in power boom

Then, it’s on to San Diego for three before returning home for the final home stand of the season against the Marlins and Giants.

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