The inability to drive additional runs led to the Arizona Diamondbacks’ World Series defeat last season. But if their Opening Day performance indicates things to come, they will have a scary rotation for opposing pitchers.
The Colorado Rockies trimmed Arizona’s lead, 2-1, in the top of the second inning, courtesy of a Ryan McMahon double that drove Brendan Rodgers home. However, Torey Lovullo’s crew responded with a historic 14-run third inning.
The Diamondbacks’ performance in the third inning is one for the record books. After shutting out the Rockies, they scored a staggering 14 runs. This feat, confirmed by the Elias Sports Bureau, marks the most runs scored in an inning on Opening Day and the fourth-most runs scored in an inning since 1900.
14 RUNS.
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) March 29, 2024
13 HITS.
1 INNING.
2 FRANCHISE RECORDS. pic.twitter.com/6tdWVCrWWN
The scoring barrage started when Lourdes Gurriel Jr.’s line-drive single brought Geraldo Perdomo home. Christian Walker’s double made the count 5-1, while Gabriel Moreno’s fly ball single brought Gurriel safely across home plate for a 6-1 count.
Perdomo, Alek Thomas, Eugenio Suarez, and Ketel Marte registered RBI singles to stretch their lead to 10-1. Gurriel returned to the plate and connected on a line-drive single to bring Perdomo and Brenton Doyle home.
Moreno’s subsequent RBI double, Suarez’s sacrifice fly, and Blaze Alexander’s RBI single brought the count to 16-1. Thomas’ grounder that Jalen Beeks threw to Kris Bryant ended the Diamondbacks’ turn at the plate.
Gurriel led the way for Arizona with three hits, three runs, and five RBIs. Ketel Marte also had three runs and three hits, while Moreno, Thomas, Suarez, Alexander, and Walker had two hits each.
Zach Gallen earned the win after giving up three hits, two walks, and one run in five innings.
The Diamondbacks and the Rockies will face again on March 29 at 8:40 p.m. Eastern Time.
-Lance Fernandez