Diamondbacks at Rockies
The Arizona Diamondbacks fell out of first place in the National League West at the end of May, but Paul Goldschmidt’s emergence from a lengthy slump has them trending upward again. The star first baseman has recorded 10 hits in his last 14 at-bats for the Diamondbacks, who continue their three-game series against the host Colorado Rockies on Saturday.
Goldschmidt posted a .144 batting average over 27 games last month but is hitting .241 overall after going 3-for-5 with a double and two home runs in Friday's 9-4 win over the Rockies, who have lost six of their last eight. Arizona's Jake Lamb and David Peralta also homered while Jon Jay went 0-for-4 with a walk and a run scored in his first contest since being acquired from Kansas City on Wednesday. The Rockies lost their fifth straight home game Friday despite recording 10 hits, including Trevor Story’s two-run blast. Nolan Arenado singled in five at-bats to extend his hitting streak to nine games, but Colorado's pitchers set a franchise record by giving up double-digit hits in a 10th consecutive contest.
TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, FOX
PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Matt Koch (4-3, 3.76 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Chad Bettis (4-1, 4.02)
Koch recorded his second straight victory on Sunday by allowing three hits over seven scoreless innings against Miami. “He did everything you could possibly ask in one outing,” manager Torey Lovullo told reporters. “He was pounding the zone. It was one of those special days when he’s feeling every single pitch and was able to execute the way he wanted to.” The 27-year-old rookie has posted a 2.03 ERA in three games (two starts) on the road compared to a 4.32 mark in six outings at Chase Field.
Bettis remained winless since May 5 with a shaky outing against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday, when he gave up five runs over 5 2/3 innings. The 28-year-old has allowed a total of 10 runs and 17 hits over 11 2/3 frames in his last two starts. Lamb is 1-for-14 with seven strikeouts against Bettis, who 1-2 with an 8.44 ERA in 11 career games (eight starts) against Arizona - including a 10.13 ERA in five contests (three starts) at Coors Field.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Rockies have allowed seven or more runs in each of their last five home games.
2. Arizona is 7-3 in its last 10 contests at Coors Field, including six straight wins.
3. The Rockies placed LHP Mike Dunn on the 10-day disabled list with a left rhomboid strain and recalled RHP Jeff Hoffman from Triple-A Albuquerque.