The Arizona Diamondbacks secured a 2-1 victory against the Colorado Rockies, decided by a walk-off single in a game dominated by pitching.
Agnos Shines in First Start
Zach Agnos, making his first start since high school, delivered an impressive performance for the Rockies. The Rockies had hoped for four innings from Agnos but received more than expected. Agnos showcased command of his pitches, maintaining the Diamondbacks off balance. He threw 71 pitches, with 49 being strikes, over five innings, also collecting four strikeouts and allowing one walk. Only two other Rockies have ever matched that stat line in their first career start.
Agnos induced three groundouts and six flyouts. The first Arizona baserunner came when Adrian Del Castillo drew a walk with one out. The only hit Agnos conceded was a soft line drive by Ketel Marte with two outs in the same inning.
Although he left with a 0-0 tie, matching veteran Eduardo Rodriguez pitch-for-pitch through five innings may warrant another start in five days.
Castaño Enters, Diamondbacks Score
Blas Castaño, who debuted against Arizona last Sunday, entered from the bullpen to begin the sixth inning for the Rockies. Castaño walked Ryan Waldschmidt and allowed a single to Marte, putting runners on the corners. Corbin Carroll 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. Chad Stevens started a double play off the bat of Ildemardo Vargas to end the inning.
In the following inning, Castaño allowed a single and a walk. He struck out Waldschmidt for the second out. Marte then hit a ground ball to first base, where Willi Castro seemed to forget how many outs there were and tried to turn a double play. Ezequiel Tovar covered the bag for the force out.
Rodriguez Dominates on the Mound
Rodriguez matched Agnos’ performance for the Diamondbacks. The Rockies didn’t get their first base runner until the fourth inning, via a walk by Castro. Their first hit came in the fifth inning. Rodriguez pitched seven innings, allowing four hits and striking out four. He threw 63 of his 99 pitches for strikes and induced 10 ground-outs, including a couple of 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. A spectacular pitching duel highlighted the night as the Rockies ended up losing 2-1 on a Diamondbacks walk-off single.