Tapia’s grand slam propels Rockies
PHOENIX» As Raimel Tapia rounded the bases Friday night, the Rockies partied in the visitors dugout at Chase Field like it was Mardi Gras, Cinco de Mayo and New Year’s Eve all rolled into one.
A beaming Tapia hit a two-out, pinch-hit, seventh-inning grand slam off Archie Bradley to lift the Rockies to a wild, 11-10 victory over Arizona. It was the first slam of Tapia’s career and it came on a rare off night for Bradley. The right-hander had a 1.97 ERA and 26 holds coming into the game, and left-handed batters were 1for-33 against him since May 23.
Those credentials didn’t matter to the left-handed hitting Tapia, who ripped Bradley’s 2-2, 96.2 mph fastball over the right-field wall. In his two-thirds of an inning, Bradley gave up six runs on three hits and three walks and walked in a run. Entering the night, he’d given up 10 earned runs in 45 M innings all season.
With closer Wade Davis unavailable because of illness, Adam Ottavino pitched 1L innings, his wild pitch allowing a run to score in the eighth. In the ninth, the right-hander struggled, allowing Jake Lamb, who reach on a throwing error, to score on a sacrifice fly by Alex Avila. He got Jon Jay to strike out to end the game.
Colorado’s Nolan Arenado swatted two two-run home runs off Arizona starter Robbie Ray, and batted 3-for-5. On most nights, he would have had a starring role. Friday night, he gladly became a subplot.
The victory extended the Rockies’ winning streak to six games and gave them their 14th win in their last 17 games. They remained two games behind the Dodgers in the National League West and moved a half-game behind the second-place D-backs. The Dodgers beat Milwaukee 6-4 Friday night.
Arenado’s first home run left the yard so quickly, D-backs left fielder David Peralta barely moved. Arenado’s 24th launch of the season traveled 429 feet, drove in Charlie Blackmon and gave the Rockies a 2-0 lead in the first.
Act II of the Arenado show came in the fifth and tied the game 5-5. Once again, Arenado drove in Blackmon, who had led off with a single. This extreme oppositefield home run didn’t travel that far — 342 feet — but Arenado willed it to stay fair, and it did, landing just inside the foul pole down the right-field line. Friday marked the second time this season Arenado has swatted two home runs in a game, and it was the 14th time he’s done it in his career.
Rockies starter German Marquez, who’s been such a road warrior, was not sharp. That was clear in the first inning. Given a 2-0 lead, the right-hander allowed three runs on three hits and a walk.