 pitched into the sixth inning and allowed five runs - only one of them earned.Nolan Arenado had three hits and Ryan McMahon hit a pinch homer for the Rockies. Charlie Blackmon added a two-run homer in the ninth off Andrew Chafin. Greg Holland relieved and the Rockies loaded the bases, but produced one more run on David Dahl's RBI fielder's choice. Holland struck out Ian Desmond and Chris Iannetta for his eighth save, stranding the tying and go-ahead runners, though he allowed a run to end his 15-game scoreless streak.Marte, who had three hits and drove in four runs, homered from the right side off lefty Tyler Anderson (0-3) in the third and from the other side in the seventh off right-handed reliever Seunghwan Oh. It was the ninth time a Diamondbacks player homered from both sides of the plate in a single game - including the three this season by Marte. He also did it on April 5 against Boston and April 24 against Pittsburgh.Marte has accomplished the feat a franchise-record four times overall.Garrett Hampson singled with two outs in the Rockies' sixth and Ray was relieved by T. J. McFarland, whose 1-2 offering was driven over the center field fence by McMahon for his third career pinch homer.Jones homered off Anderson to lead off the Diamondbacks' fifth as Arizona reclaimed the lead, 5-4. Marte singled to chase Anderson and Escobar homered off a 1-1 delivery from reliever Bryan Shaw.A successful replay challenge by Colorado manager Bud Black that uncovered an error followed by a second fielding error by Arizona opened the door for the Rockies to tie it up with four runs in the fourth - all of them unearned.Mark Reynolds initially was ruled out on a force play at second, but a replay review showed shortstop Nick Ahmed had missed the bag, allowing the Rockies to load the bases with one out. Desmond's bouncer to third kicked off the glove of third baseman Escobar, allowing a run to score and Desmond to reach. Iannetta followed with an RBI single, then Hampson singled to drive home two more runs.Arizona led 4-0 on Wilmer Flores' two-run double in the second and Marte's first homer, a two-run shot in the third.ROSTER MOVESThe Diamondbacks recalled OF Tim Locastro from their top farm club, Triple-A Reno, filling the spot left vacant by the optioning of C Caleb Joseph. ... RHP Matt Koch was outrighted to Reno after being designated for assignment last Sunday.TRAINER'S ROOMDiamondbacks: RHP Taijuan Walker threw a 30-pitch bullpen session and took another step toward an anticipated return midway through this season. He underwent Tommy John surgery in April 2017.Rockies: INF Daniel Murphy was not in the starting lineup due to lower back soreness. He experienced soreness after Wednesday's game at Milwaukee. He had been scheduled to rest Thursday when the Rockies played a day game, but his back soreness kept him out until a pinch-hitting appearance in the ninth. ... C Drew Butera was designated for assignment after the team reinstated C Chris Iannetta from the 10-day-injured list. Iannetta was placed on the IL two weeks ago with a right lat strain. ... LHP Chris Rusin, on the IL with a mid-back strain since March 27, threw a simulated game in a major step toward his return. ... LHP Jake McGee, placed on the IL on April 2 with a left knee sprain, is slated to throw a bullpen session Saturday and pitch to batters as part of a simulated game Tuesday.UP NEXTDiamondbacks: RHP Luke Weaver (2-1, 3.73 ERA) is making his fourth career appearance and third start against the Rockies. He'll enter the game 0-1 with a 13.50 ERA against Colorado.Rockies: LHP Kyle Freeland (2-4, 4.81 ERA) has gone 1-1 with a 5.73 ERA in two previous starts this season at Coors Field.---More MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/-Sports)
Surprising D-backs take act on road to face Rockies The Arizona Diamondbacks looked like a team entering a rebuild -- or at least a retooling phase -- when they traded Paul Goldschmidt and saw ace left-hander Patrick Corbin sign with Washington in the offseason.A little more than a month into the season, however, Arizona has looked more like a team ready to challenge for a playoff spot, perhaps even the NL West title.The Diamondbacks are five games above .500 and second in the division after winning seven of their last 10 and head to Colorado for a three-game series with the Rockies. The first game is Friday night at Coors Field.Arizona has played well on the road, winning eight of its last 10. The Diamondbacks have pulled off sweeps in Atlanta (three games) and Pittsburgh (four games) in the last two weeks. They come into Denver after sweeping a two-game home series against the New York Yankees."I feel we have a very good team," Ketel Marte told reporters Wednesday of the Diamondbacks, who are 18-13. "We have a team here with a lot of talent and we can compete with anybody." The Rockies have made the postseason two straight seasons as a wild card, losing at Arizona in 2017 and beating the Chicago Cubs last year. They entered 2019 with expectations for this season but began the year 3-12 and have been trying to climb out of that hole.They're coming off a 4-3 road trip through Atlanta and Milwaukee, salvaging the last two games against the Brewers to split that series. Colorado is 12-5 since its bad start and has survived injuries to three regular bats and ace Kyle Freeland.The Rockies play their next nine at home, all against division opponents.Colorado will send struggling left-hander Tyler Anderson to the mound Friday. Anderson (0-2, 11.34) has four starts this season around a stint on the 10-day injured list for left knee inflammation. He has surrendered at least five runs in each start and has given up six home runs in 16 2/3 innings.He has had moderate success against the Diamondbacks in his career. In eight games -- six starts -- he is 2-0 with a 5.77 ERA, but a bulk of that ERA came at Chase Field (10.34 ERA in four games -- three starts). He could be moved out of the rotation if he continues to struggle."Over the long haul of another 25 to 27 starts, if a pitcher stays in the rotation, Tyler's going to perform, we believe," manager Bud Black told The Denver Post. "Now, do we have to see some signs? Yes. And he'll be the first to tell you that it's a performance-based game."Looking back on it, I think the bulky knee affected his mechanics. That's why we put him on the injured list and took a step back physically. Since his return, he's had two bad games." Arizona will answer with left-hander Robbie Ray (1-1, 4.18). He is coming off a win against the Cubs last Friday and has pitched fairly well in hitter-friendly Coors Field in his career. In five starts in Denver, he is 1-1 with a 4.15 ERA.In 12 career starts against the Rockies, he is 3-4 with a 5.77 ERA.--Field Level Media
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