Sometimes in life, the road to happiness isn’t a straight freeway with no traffic. There will be bumps and cracks in that road, and maybe even a few potholes. It’s up to you to navigate that road and straighten it out in your mindset. Today looked like it was on cruise control for most of it, but eventually life will throw in a speed bump to see how you respond. Let’s see how Arizona responded.

First Inning

Offensively, after a sharp single by Perdomo, an Arenado forceout negated that. That gave the ball to Maple Maddux himself, Michael Soroka. On Colorado’s side, they were first robbed by our new Young King, Ryan Waldschmidt. And I was told getting rid of Alek would mess up the defense. A bit afterwards, a broken bat that could’ve hurt someone badly if not for netting (what an invention), negated a two out walk. 0-0 after 1.

Second Inning

On offense, a Moreno walk was the only action for the Dbacks as a Fernandez whiff kept them off the scoreboard in the 2nd. No problem though, because the K-nadian struck out two to make sure Colorado matched them. 0-0 after 2.

Third Inning

On offense, we finally start to light up the scoreboard. A couple of two out walks set the scene for Rockie legend Nolan Arenado. He goes ahead and lines an RBI single to left to bring home Corbin and make it 1-0. Then, Lourdes follows him up with an RBI single of his own to bring in Perdomo. After an ADC professional at bat (said no one ever), it’s 2-0. Then the Maple Missile keeps it where it’s at with another 1-2-3 frame. 2-0 after 3.

Fourth Inning

In the fourth, we get Diamondbacks Baseball in its purest form. A Moreno single to get ‘em on, a Fernandez sac bunt to get ‘em over, and a Vargas rbi single to get him in makes it 3-0. Then, Corbin Carroll shows exactly why all of America should get rid of their hamate bones by depositing a two-run Jumbo Jack into the seats. 5-0. The bottom half is where the Poutine Punch Outs start to slow down a little bit, however. Three straight two out doubles bring home 2 for the Rockies. Thankfully, Soroka gets out of it. 5-2 after 4.

Fifth Inning

You think just because the Rockies woke up that the Dbacks have to fall asleep now? Wrong. How about a little Pina Power for your troubles? Gurriel’s first makes it’s 6-2. Then a single by Moreno, a steal of second (What?), and a throwing error that gets Gabi into third, pays off as Fernandez brings him home. 7-2. Waldschmidt sadly strands him but that’s 2 more for the good guys. The bottom half sees Soroka let up a single and a walk. However, the rest of the batters all go down by way of the K (don’t sue me Don Orsillo). 7-2 after 5.

Sixth Inning

In the sixth, Corbin Carroll grabs a bat and somehow hits a ball even further than last time. 448 feet. Public service announcement Major League Baseball: Corbin has found his barrels. 8-2. Spoiler, that’s the last of the Dbacks offense today. Gurriel strands an Arenado walk to end the top half. In the bottom half Soroka lets two on, so his day ends after 5.2 IP. 8 strikeouts and just 2 earned runs after Ryan Thompson strands both runners. 8-2 after 6.

Seventh Inning

Dbacks get two on to start the 7th on an E6 and a single to third. Sadly though, they don’t do anything with it. Strikeout, forceout, and Waldschmidt picked off. Not the best approach ever. Thankfully, Juan Morillo only needed 4 pitches to get through the bottom side. 8-2 after 7.

Eighth Inning

Here is where the speed bumps come into play. The Dbacks offense, despite a Perdomo double, does nothing. Who comes out the bullpen? Brandon. Pfaadt. What does he allow? A single (including a rare mistake in center by Waldy), hit by pitch, and walk to load them. Followed by a sac fly, and an RBI single. Pfaadt only goes 1/3 of an inning. Taylor Clarke comes in and allows an RBI single and a sac fly, but keeps the lead, and that’s all we ask for at this point. 8-6 after 8.

Ninth Inning

In the ninth, the Dbacks didn’t even try to help their pitching. A 1-2-3 frame. It’s time to Jump Around. Depending on your preferences, the scariest or most exciting words of all time. For Wisconsin fans, that’s the best thing you can hear. For Dbacks fans, especially playing in Coors, that’s the scariest sentence of all time. Thankfully, despite a strikeout that was overturned by ABS, and later turned into a walk, Sewald slams the door for save number 10. 8-6 is your final today.

Conclusion

Well, I’ll say this. It wasn’t as exciting as the Mexico City game. However, this game had plenty of action and as a Corbin Carroll Enthusiast, it’s fitting he heated up just in time for this recap. Other than Brandon Pfaadt’s implosion, this was a great win by the Dbacks that the scoreboard doesn’t do justice. Every other pitcher did their job and the offense made a lot of huge swings at the right times. Thankfully, they’ll get 4 more against Colorado at Chase in a few days. We’ll see if they keep up the same success but for Rivalry Weekend purposes, the Salt River Rivalry runs through Arizona.

Favorite Stat

Not a game stat, but I wanted to mention this. I’ve recapped two games so far. Those two games have been played at a combined elevation of 12,619 feet above sea level. For reference, that’s 18 feet below Humphreys Peak in Flagstaff. Can’t promise that my next recap will be another altitude game, but those games always seem to be fun to recap so maybe that’s what I’ll have to look for when choosing which game to recap. For now though, I’ll sign off. Thanks for reading about this Rocky Mountain Exteme-Ly Close Call (titled after the almost name of the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche) and enjoy the rest of your Sunday!