Game Report: Snakes v. Rockies, April 6, 2009
* BANG! - We hope you'll excuse us if Diamondbacks Nation is still shellshocked over Opening Day. The 2009 season started with a BANG! And another BANG! And another still ... so many, in fact, that we thought we might be witnessing two baseball games. Or perhaps some Monday Night Football. All tolled, the Snakes socked five home runs in today's matinee, while the visiting Rockies rocked three more balls over the outfield walls.
After some first inning hiccups -- a lead-off HBP and a wild throw to 2B by Chris Snyder -- the Diamondbacks settled down to escape the visitors' first inning without surrendering a run. That was about the only settling down Arizona fans would get to see or do all day. Felipe Lopez opened the home first by clobbering an Aaron Cook pitch for a home run. The Snakes extended their lead to 2-0 in the bottom of the second when Conor Jackson reached on a single, then scored from 1B on a double by Snyder.
From there, it was a track meet. Colorado took the lead in the third when long-time nemesis Brad Hawpe made Brandon Webb pay for giving up a double and walking a pair of Rockies. Hawpe himself doubled to clear the bases, opening up a 4-2 Colorado lead. That margin would not last long. Arizona answered back with its own four-run tally in the bottom of the third inning, including a pair of runs on the first of Tony Clark 's two Opening Day homers. The 6-4 lead would hold for mere moments, as the Rockies launched back-to-back solo shots to tie the game in the fourth.
Never fear, Diamondbacks Nation: the ODog may be gone ... but the LoDog is here! Lopez hit yet another tater off Colorado pitching to break the tie and give Arizona a 7-6 lead. The visitors would bring the game even in the fifth on an Ian Stewart RBI single, only to see the Snakes slither to an 8-7 advantage on Clark's second bomb of the day. A final Rockies run scored on Seth Smith's solo shot in the seventh, but Chad Tracy hit homer No. 5 for the hosts and gave the Diamondbacks their final 9-8 margin of victory.
* CROWD CONTROL - While we loved to see the Arizona offense light up the scoreboard, our favorite moments from today's game followed the Rockies' home runs. Each time a Colorado batter blasted a ball into the stands, the Diamondbacks fans launched the sphere right back onto the field of play. We don't hope to see many big flies by opposing batters, but if our partisans react that way each time, Diamondbacks Nation will be proud.
4 responses to this Post, with 4 unique participants
Anonymous
04/06/09
6:39pm
Lovin' the new guy
I wasn't so sure about Felipe Lopez at first, I hadn't heard much about him and I am used to Augie and ODog playin' second. His first at bat took away all of my doubts and his second at bat crushed any doubts that may have been lingering. I am definitely ready to watch him play again.
I agree - love the new guy
I also was not sure how to deal with Felipe Lopez, he had some big shoes to fill. After seeing the opening, all I can say is HELLO Felipe! I will miss the O-dog, but I think Felipe did a great job. That's the way to get fans of a new team on your side, way to go!
Joanne
04/08/09
8:21am
Long season!
He impressed in his debut for sure, but it is a long season and I will try to hold judgment until at least May. One of O-dogs big assets was his glove which FLopez has only had a chance to flash a few times so far.
Melvin Was Right!
Anyone questioning the lineup today sure were silenced in a hurry! Tracy and Clark came through HUGE! Byrnes, not so much, but still, that RBI was a factor.