Rockies at Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks were in fine form at the plate in their season opener and hope to continue swinging hot bats when they resume their three-game series against the visiting Colorado Rockies on Friday. Arizona pounded out 12 hits and put together a pair of three-run innings Thursday en route to an 8-2 victory.
Jake Lamb, who recorded a career-high 105 RBIs last season, got off to a good start as he drove in four runs and David Peralta went 3-for-5 with an RBI, but Paul Goldschmidt remains in search of his first hit of the year after going 0-for-2 with three walks. Colorado scored both of its runs on homers as DJ LeMahieu and Nolan Arenado both went deep. The 26-year-old Arenado is seeking his fourth consecutive season with at least 37 home runs and 130 RBIs. Chris Iannetta, who is in his second stint with the Rockies after spending last year in Arizona, made an impressive return to the team with which he began his career as he collected one-third of the club's nine hits in the opener.
TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet-Rocky Mountain (Colorado), FS Arizona Plus
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies LH Tyler Anderson (2017: 6-6, 4.81 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks LH Robbie Ray (2017: 15-5, 2.89)
Anderson's 2017 season was interrupted by left knee surgery, but he finished strong upon his return, going 3-1 with a 1.19 ERA in four appearances (three starts). The 28-year-old native of Las Vegas was especially impressive in the victories as he struck out 12 batters and walked only two while scattering seven hits over 17 scoreless innings. Anderson has yet to lose to Arizona, going 2-0 with a 4.85 ERA and 34 strikeouts over 26 frames in six career games (four starts).
Ray registered more victories last year than in his first three major-league seasons combined (14) and led the National League with a rate of 12.11 strikeouts per nine innings while limiting opponents to a .199 batting average. The 26-year-old Tennessean suffered his last loss of the campaign on July 23, going 6-0 with a 2.20 ERA over his final nine starts. Ray owns a 2-3 record and 5.21 ERA in nine career turns against the Rockies.
WALK-OFFS
1. Diamondbacks OF Jarrod Dyson had an impressive debut for his new team on Thursday, going 2-for-4 with a triple, two runs scored and an RBI.
2. Colorado OF Charlie Blackmon is a .519 career hitter with three homers and eight RBIs against Ray.
3. Arizona RHP Zack Greinke (groin) will start the series finale on Saturday.