azdad1978
Championship!!!!
Bob McManaman
The Arizona Republic
Apr. 22, 2005 12:00 AM
SAN FRANCISCO - For 12 innings Thursday night, the Diamondbacks held the San Francisco Giants to just three hits.
But the Giants doubled their hit total in a lucky 13th and thanks to a base hit by pinch-hitter Deivi Cruz with the bases loaded, San Francisco pulled out a dramatic 4-3 victory over Arizona at SBC Park.
The win snapped a three-game skid by the Giants, who split the two-game series with Arizona. The Diamondbacks, meanwhile, finished their first trip away from home with a 2-5 mark and fell back to .500 overall at 8-8.
Reliever Michael Gosling gave up a single to Lance Niekro to lead off the 13th, Pedro Feliz followed with a double and then Gosling intentionally walked Edgardo Alfonzo to load the bases in search of a double play. Instead, Cruz hit the first pitch from Gosling and lined it sharply to left for the game-winner.
"What a big win for us right there," Niekro, the son of former major league pitcher Joe Niekro, said. "We came off a pretty tough road trip, we had lost three in a row and not to say everybody has been getting down, but it just gets frustrating when you can't pick up your pitcher and score any runs for him."
Arizona, getting seven solid innings from starter Russ Ortiz, a former Giants pitcher, and a three-run home run from Chad Tracy in the fourth, looked in control. It still had the edge despite a two-run homer by Niekro in the sixth.
But Brian Bruney walked his first two batters in the eighth, and a sacrifice fly by Feliz scored Ray Durham to tie the score at 3.
"It just wasn't there the first few hitters and you can't be putting two guys on to start the inning, especially up one run, or anytime for that matter," Bruney said. "I felt good. My stuff is good enough to get people out. They're not going to hit me around the yard, so I just need to get in there and attack them better."
D-Backs Report
Cheers
The Diamondbacks starting rotation continues to chew up innings, trying to make life a bit easier for the hit-and-miss bullpen.
Jeers
Reliever Brian Bruney walked two batters in the eighth, which led to the tying run for the Giants. Walks continue to be a problem in the pen.
Player of the game
Arizona starter Russ Ortiz limited the Giants to three hits over seven quality innings and deserved a better fate for his effort.
Key number
10 - RBIs this season by Chad Tracy, who hit a three-run homer and is third on the team in runs driven in.
View from the press box
Walks are becoming the menace of Arizona's beleaguered bullpen and unless relievers start throwing strikes, especially when it matters most, there could be some changes soon.
- Bob McManaman
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/articles/0422dbacks0422.html
The Arizona Republic
Apr. 22, 2005 12:00 AM
SAN FRANCISCO - For 12 innings Thursday night, the Diamondbacks held the San Francisco Giants to just three hits.
But the Giants doubled their hit total in a lucky 13th and thanks to a base hit by pinch-hitter Deivi Cruz with the bases loaded, San Francisco pulled out a dramatic 4-3 victory over Arizona at SBC Park.
The win snapped a three-game skid by the Giants, who split the two-game series with Arizona. The Diamondbacks, meanwhile, finished their first trip away from home with a 2-5 mark and fell back to .500 overall at 8-8.
Reliever Michael Gosling gave up a single to Lance Niekro to lead off the 13th, Pedro Feliz followed with a double and then Gosling intentionally walked Edgardo Alfonzo to load the bases in search of a double play. Instead, Cruz hit the first pitch from Gosling and lined it sharply to left for the game-winner.
"What a big win for us right there," Niekro, the son of former major league pitcher Joe Niekro, said. "We came off a pretty tough road trip, we had lost three in a row and not to say everybody has been getting down, but it just gets frustrating when you can't pick up your pitcher and score any runs for him."
Arizona, getting seven solid innings from starter Russ Ortiz, a former Giants pitcher, and a three-run home run from Chad Tracy in the fourth, looked in control. It still had the edge despite a two-run homer by Niekro in the sixth.
But Brian Bruney walked his first two batters in the eighth, and a sacrifice fly by Feliz scored Ray Durham to tie the score at 3.
"It just wasn't there the first few hitters and you can't be putting two guys on to start the inning, especially up one run, or anytime for that matter," Bruney said. "I felt good. My stuff is good enough to get people out. They're not going to hit me around the yard, so I just need to get in there and attack them better."
D-Backs Report
Cheers
The Diamondbacks starting rotation continues to chew up innings, trying to make life a bit easier for the hit-and-miss bullpen.
Jeers
Reliever Brian Bruney walked two batters in the eighth, which led to the tying run for the Giants. Walks continue to be a problem in the pen.
Player of the game
Arizona starter Russ Ortiz limited the Giants to three hits over seven quality innings and deserved a better fate for his effort.
Key number
10 - RBIs this season by Chad Tracy, who hit a three-run homer and is third on the team in runs driven in.
View from the press box
Walks are becoming the menace of Arizona's beleaguered bullpen and unless relievers start throwing strikes, especially when it matters most, there could be some changes soon.
- Bob McManaman
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/articles/0422dbacks0422.html
