The Arizona Diamondbacks defeated the Colorado Rockies 2-1 in the series opener, thanks to a walk-off single. Offense proved difficult to generate, but the game featured a pitching duel.
Agnos’s Strong Debut for Rockies
Zach Agnos made his first start since high school. The Rockies initially hoped for four innings from Agnos, but he delivered more. Agnos threw 71 pitches, 49 for strikes, over five innings, collecting four strikeouts and allowing one walk.
He is only the third Rockie all-time to have that stat line in his first career start. He also induced three groundouts and six flyouts. The first Arizona baserunner came when Adrian Del Castillo drew a one-out walk, and the lone hit Agnos surrendered was a soft line drive by Ketel Marte with two outs in the same inning.
Although he didn’t get more run support, Agnos matched veteran Eduardo Rodriguez pitch-for-pitch through five innings. This may warrant another start in five days.
Diamondbacks Take the Lead
Blas Castaño, who impressed in his Rockies debut against Arizona last Sunday, entered from the bullpen to start the sixth inning. Castaño walked Ryan Waldschmidt and allowed a single to Marte, putting runners on the corners. Corbin Carroll then grounded into a force out, driving in a run to give the Diamondbacks a 1-0 lead.
Castaño then loaded the bases by walking Geraldo Perdomo and hitting Nolan Arenado with a pitch. Stevens started a double play off the bat of Ildemardo Vargas to end the inning.
The Diamondbacks threatened in the following inning as Castaño allowed a single and a walk. He managed to strike out Waldschmidt for the second out. Marte then hit a ball on the ground to first base, and Willi Castro seemed to forget how many outs there were and turned to fire to second base to try and turn a double play. Luckily, Ezequiel Tovar covered the bag for the force out.
Rodriguez Shines for Arizona
Rodriguez proved just as effective as Agnos. The Rockies didn’t get their first base runner until the fourth inning, courtesy of a walk by Castro, and didn’t get their first hit until the fifth inning. Rodriguez pitched seven innings, allowing four hits while striking out four.
He threw 63 of his 99 pitches for strikes and induced 10 ground-outs, including a couple of crucial double-play balls.
Offense was tough to come by as the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks squared off in the desert to kick off the series.