Arizona Diamondbacks headed to NLDS

With a 17-hit attack, the Arizona Diamondbacks escaped this one-game elimination, and move on in the post-season.

At any rate, there was no margin of comfort in this one. Given the dynamic offenses displayed this season from the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks, the mantra of both team figured to be something like the last man standing would prevail.

More important, the Diamondbacks realized that to advance in this post-season, they needed to score, and continue scoring was paramount. In the end, a pair of three-run innings and clutch at-bats from several propelled the Diamondbacks, 11-8 past the Rockies before 48,603 in Chase Field, and into the one of the National League Division series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

That set begins Friday night in Dodger Stadium, and is a best of three-of-five series. The Chicago Cubs and the Washington Nationals tangle in the other National League Division series.

If the Diamondbacks were to survive, the rhythm of runs became vital. Paul Goldschmidt, who started the merry-go-round with a three-run homer in the first inning, told Call to the Pen in another champagne-soaked clubhouse, that it was imperative to cross the plate in huge numbers.

“It’s hard to keep a lead against a team like the Rockies,” he said. “We had to keep scoring runs. Each time we scored, we said we had to keep it going. We had to keep scoring.”

In a strange twist, fours were clearly wild in this wild card game.

The Diamondbacks unloaded four triples, two from shortstop Ketel Marte, and the four triples was accomplished for only the second time in the history of post-season baseball. The other team was the Boston Americans in game seven of the 1903 World Series against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

In this one, the Diamondbacks banged out 17 hits, and that represented the second largest hit production in post-season franchise history. Only 22 hits against the New York Yankees in game 6 of 2001 World Series remains greater.

More from Call to the Pen

Despite jumping out to a 6-0 lead, and starter Zack Greinke faltering, the outcome was far from certain at any time. Powered by a four-run fourth inning, the Rockies pulled themselves off the mat, and struck a competitive chord.

Only when Archie Bradley, the voice and conscience of this team, slammed a two-run, two-out triple to left center off reliever Pat Neshek and created an 8-5 lead in the bottom of the seventh inning was there some sort of comfort level.

Then, the Rockies responded.

After Bradley allowed back-to-back homers to Nolan Arenado and Trevor Story with one out in the eight the heat rose once again. Yet, Bradley told Call to the Pen that he remained focused and on task.

“I took a step back, regrouped, and told myself I’m here to get outs,” he said. “After the homers, I had to figure it out, and recognize my job.”

Bradley then responded by retiring Gerardo Parra on a bouncer to the mound. Pat Valaika followed with a pinch-hit double, but Bradley retired Jonathan Lucroy on a fly to right to end the inning.

When manager Torey Luvullo asked all of his players to be ready for this winner-take-all experience, there was no hesitation. After Greinke hit the wall in the fourth, Lovullo immediately went lefty Robbie Ray in relief. Pundits believed Ray would be held out of this game and, should the Diamondbacks prevail, start Friday night in Dodger Stadium.

Instead, Ray came in behind Greinke and delivered 2 1/3 strong innings and kept the Rockies at arm’s length. Afterward, Ray told Call to the Pen that this outing will not affect his availability going forward.

“I got the call (against the Rockies), and I was ready,” he said. “Look, whenever they need me, I’ll be ready. The Dodgers are the best team in the National League and we match up pretty good against them. This will be a great series, and if they need, I’m ready.”

To help push the Diamondbacks to the Division series, Jake Lamb tied a club post-season record with four hits, and David Peralta and Marte chipped in three hits each. Peralta scored twice and Goldschmidt, along with Daniel Descanso, hit homers.

The Diamondbacks have a 12:30 p.m. departure for Los Angeles Friday afternoon, and scheduled a 5 p.m. workout for Dodger Stadium.

In the series opener. Lovullo will decide after Friday’s practice as to his starter, Speculation centers around right-hander Taijuan Walker, and the Dodgers will start lefty Clayton Kershaw. The game is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. Pacific time. Game two is scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday in L.A., and games three and four will be played in Chase Field next Monday and Tuesday nights. If a game five is necessary, this will be played in Dodger Stadium next Thursday night.

Next: Stanton may be on way out of Miami

For the record

The two triples by Marte was the first accomplished in a post-season game in 24 years. The last player to hit two triples in one game was the Phillies’ Mariano Duncan at Atlanta in game three of the 1993 NL Championship Series.

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