The Arizona Diamondbacks have 20 runs and 26 hits in routing the Colorado Rockies on back-to-back nights.
Arizona will look to serve up another strong offensive effort on Sunday when it attempts to finish a sweep of the three-game series between National League West rivals in Denver.
The Diamondbacks won Friday’s opener 9-1 before following with an 11-4 win on Saturday. Arizona had 16 hits in the latter game while winning for the fourth time in the past five contests.
However, the Diamondbacks could be without one of their best players in the finale after standout rookie outfielder Corbin Carroll sustained a left-knee contusion as he ran into the fence in left-center field.
Carroll was termed day-to-day by Arizona manager Torey Lovullo after Saturday’s game. Lovullo said the team “dodged a bullet.”
Carroll was able to walk off the field in his own power; he hasn’t missed a game this season.
“All the tests have come back very, very positive and he’s day-to-day,” Lovullo said. “He was just trying to make a play, and that’s who he is.”
Carroll, 22, has been one of the reasons for Arizona’s strong 16-12 start, the best mark in the NL West. The rookie is batting .309 with four homers, nine RBIs, eight doubles, one triple and 10 steals in 28 games.
Despite Carroll playing in just 32 major league games prior to this season, the team signed him to an eight-year, $111 million extension in March.
Carroll had an RBI single for Arizona’s first run on Saturday. But there were plenty of other Diamondbacks doing damage against the Rockies, who are in last place in the West.
Geraldo Perdomo went 3-for-5 with a homer and four RBIs, Christian Walker went 3-for-5 with a homer and two RBIs, and Emmanuel Rivera went 3-for-5 with a run scored. Jose Herrera and Josh Rojas each had two hits, two runs and two RBIs, and Alek Thomas had two hits and scored twice.
Meanwhile, the Rockies have lost three straight and 14 of their last 17. Colorado also is struggling at Coors Field with seven straight losses and a 3-9 overall home mark.
Rockies left fielder Randal Grichuk made his season debut Saturday and went 2-for-4. He was sidelined due to sports hernia surgery performed in February.
“It’s frustrating to watch the team struggle and not be able to help or do anything or even be here,” Grichuk told reporters before Saturday’s setback. “It’s good to be back and hopefully, I can contribute.”
The Rockies’ struggles could continue Sunday as they send left-hander Austin Gomber (1-4, 9.28 ERA) to the mound.
Gomber has allowed 29 hits — including five homers — and walked 12 in just 21 1/3 innings. Things have gone poorly in his two home starts as he has allowed 14 runs in 6 2/3 innings for a 18.90 ERA.
However, he pitched well in his most recent outing when he defeated the host Cleveland Guardians on Monday. He allowed three hits and three walks and struck out three in five scoreless innings as he earned his first win of the season.
Gomber is 2-0 with a 5.27 ERA in eight career appearances (four starts) against Arizona.
Arizona will start right-hander Ryne Nelson (1-1, 5-33), who has allowed nine runs in his past two outings after giving up seven in his first three.
Nelson, 25, lost to the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday when he gave up four runs and 11 hits in five innings. He struck out three and walked none.
This will be Nelson’s first career start against Colorado.
–Field Level Media
