If you thought the Pittsburgh Pirates giving up six runs in an inning was a wellspring of offense for Arizona, you're probably settling. Aim high, dreamer! How about 13 lucky big ones before three outs are made?
That's what the D'backs did Sunday afternoon en route to a 15-6 laugher, taking two out of three from the Buccos. We could opine on Arizona's offense finally coming around, but it's still rather early to make any declarations. Plus, look at who they played. So let's shamelessly delve into that goofy 13-run fourth inning:
• 16 batters came to the plate — only Stephen Drew and Justin Upton did not bat twice.
• Of those 16 plate appearances, only four began with a first-pitch strike.
• They collectively hit for the cycle. There were three singles, one double, one triple, three home runs, and four walks.
• Despite all that, only one guy managed two hits in the inning: pitcher Edwin Jackson, who also hit a two-run homer to knock in runs No. 12 and 13.
By comparison:
• In 14 other games on Sunday, 10 of them had fewer than 13 combined runs (one had exactly 13).
• The second biggest inning of the day was five runs by Cleveland in their first inning. And they would eventually lose.
• The Houston Astros have also scored 13 runs ... in their first six games.
• Only once last year did Arizona score at least 13 runs. Naturally, it was against the Astros.
Sitting at 4-2 right behind San Francisco, the Snakes will enjoy a day off on Monday before a little road trip to Los Angeles and San Diego, who are both 2-4. The temporary four-man rotation of Dan Haren, Ian Kennedy, Jackson, and Rodrigo Lopez has been holding up so far. They say the ghost of Kris Benson may be a candidate for that final fifth spot once they run out of off days and need to finally use another starter. If this means the public return of Anna Benson, then so be it.
Article comments
1 - Jack Goodstein
I'm listening to the game in the car. I go into the supermarket; the Pirates are leading 4-2. I come out; they're losing 9-4. I turn to the Penguin game.
2 - Lynn Voedisch
This is why I love baseball.