Rockies comeback big on D-backs, win 14-7 in Tapia's debut

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DENVER — The Colorado Rockies came out a little bit flat against the Arizona Diamondbacks just 48 hours after one of the toughest losses of the season but they rallied back in a big way and won 14-7 on a night that showcased the future.

Jorge De La Rosa had only given up one run on a Yasmani Tomas single until things got a bit sticky in the fourth.

Brandon Drury and Chris Owings began the inning with back-to-back singles. Then, on a sacrifice bunt attempt from pitcher Robbie Ray, De La Rosa spiked the throw to first base allowing two runs to score and giving the Diamondbacks a 3-0 lead. Doubles from Paul Goldschmidt and Tomas compounded the error and suddenly the D-backs led by five without having scored an earned run.

The Rockies struck right back in the bottom on six singles leading up to a Carlos Gonzalez bases clearing double and just like that the Rockies had taken the lead at 6-5.

The Diamondbacks weren’t done yet though and got a two-run home run off of Jordan Lyles in the sixth, A.J. Pollock‘s first of the season, to put themselves back on top.

In the bottom of the frame, the Rockies tied it back up thanks to the efforts of a debuting Raimel Tapia and his outfield buddy from their entire minor league careers, David Dahl. Tapia reached on an infield single and moved up on a bunt from Cristhian Adames before coming home on Dahl’s single into right field. It was a sight incredibly familiar to MiLB fans but the first time it had been seen at this level.

“That was big because it helped us win,” said Tapia through a translator. He also said that he felt just the same as he did in Double and Triple-A.

The Rockies exploded for seven runs in the final inning, punctuated by a Nick Hundley grand slam and they were able to avoid any dramatics at the end as Carlos Estevez and Adam Ottavino nailed down the final six outs without any stress.

“I was joking with Cardullo,” said Hundley after the game, “that he had a grand slam in his first two games and I never had one.”

Well, he does now.

By the Numbers

100 – Nolan Arenado scored his 100th run in the game. He became the first player since Carlos Gonzalez in 2010 to have at least 100 runs and 100 RBI in a season. He currently leads MLB in RBI at 117.

33 – David Dahl has recorded at least one hit in 33 of the 36 MLB games he has played in. He has gotten on base in 34 of those games.

Lasting Impact

The Rockies are going to have to play unbelievably good baseball in order to salvage this season in terms of a postseason run, but the talent on display at Coors Field this evening should have fans as excited as they’ve been in a long time about what this team can accomplish.

What’s Next

The Rockies take on the Diamondbacks in Game 2 of the series tomorrow night at 6:40 MST. Tyler Chatwood takes on Braden Shipley in a battle of guys who are better than most people probably realize.