Arizona Diamondbacks selected A.J. Pollock out of Notre Dame in the first round of the draft, the 17th player chosen overall.
The do-everything center fielder keeps showing how much he was worth it.
Pollock hit a two-out, two-run home run into the Chase Field swimming pool in the seventh inning and the Diamondbacks beat the Atlanta Braves 7-6 in a back-and-forth game Tuesday night.
"I just made a bad pitch and he crushed it," Atlanta reliever Brandon Cunniff said.
The homer was the 51st splashdown in the water beyond the right field fence since the ballpark opened in 1998. Pollock is hitting .314 while playing terrific defense.
"Definitely All-Star caliber," teammate and two-time All-Star Paul Goldschmidt said. "He does it all."
Ender Inciarte had two RBI, two runs scored and two stolen bases for the Diamondbacks. He drew a two-out walk from Cunniff (2-1) and scored on Pollock's home run.
With the speedy Inciarte to worry about, Cunniff may have been a bit distracted, Pollock thought.
"I'm sure that had a little bit of a part of it," he said. "I just got a pitch middle away. I was just trying to hit it in the gap and watch Ender run and hopefully get that tying run in and I'm fortunate it went over the fence."
A.J. Pierzynski and Todd Cunningham each drove in a pair of runs in the Braves' five-run sixth inning after the Diamondbacks had taken a 4-1 lead off Shelby Miller.
Miller lasted a season-low 4 1/3 innings, allowing four runs on six hits with six walks and one strikeout.
"Shelby struggled for the first time the whole year," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "He was battling his mechanics a little bit. His command was not like we have seen it before, but never the less we had a chance to win the ball game."
The four runs and six walks were season worsts for the right-hander, who had not allowed more than two earned runs in any of his 10 starts leading into Tuesday.
"I didn't get in the groove-type thing, but those kind of days happen," Miller said. "You are still human."
Andrew Chafin (3-0) pitched 1 1/3 inning to get the victory. Brad Ziegler threw a scoreless ninth for his fourth save.
Arizona starter Josh Collmenter left with two outs in the sixth inning and the Braves broke out.
Pierzynsky's two-run bases-loaded single off J.C. Ramirez cut the lead to 4-3, Jonny Gomes' RBI double tied it, then Cunningham's double down the left field line on the first pitch from Chafin put Atlanta up 6-4.
Miller walked Collmenter to load the bases in the second, then Inciarte singled in two. Miller walked Goldschmidt to bring in the third run.
"This game is not made for excuses and there is no reason to go out there and walk six batters," Miller said. "There is no reason to go out there and walk the pitcher. It is just a tough day."
Goldschmidt walked four times, twice intentionally. He has been walked 41 times this season, 17 in the last 13 games.
GREAT CATCH
In the third, the left fielder Inciarte made a head-first dive in the gravel in foul territory and caught Jace Peterson's foul ball. Inciarte crashed face-first into a security guard's foot. He remained on the ground but held up his glove to show he still had the ball. After trainers came out, Inciarte eventually got to his feet and stayed in the game, making another nice running catch of Freeman's fly ball to end the inning.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Braves: Gonzalez gave OF Cameron Maybin another day off. Maybin was scratched from the lineup just before Monday night's game with a sore quad/groin. Gonzalez said he expected Maybin in the lineup for Wednesday's series finale.
Diamondbacks: LH Patrick Corbin (Tommy John surgery) threw 3 2/3 scoreless innings in an extended spring training game on Monday. ... 3B Jake Lamb (left foot stress fracture) was 1 for 4 with a triple in extended spring training game Monday. He is report Wednesday to a rehab assignment with Triple-A Reno.
UP NEXT
Braves: Mike Foltynewicz (3-2, 3.96 ERA) takes the mound against Arizona Wednesday in the Braves' finale of a 10-game road trip. Atlanta is 4-5 on the trip.
Diamondbacks: RH Rubby De La Rosa (4-2, 4.50) goes for Arizona in the afternoon contest. He is 2-0 in his last five starts.
PHOENIX -- Six years ago, at about this time of year, the The do-everything center fielder keeps showing how much he was worth it.
Pollock hit a two-out, two-run home run into the Chase Field swimming pool in the seventh inning and the Diamondbacks beat the Atlanta Braves 7-6 in a back-and-forth game Tuesday night.
"I just made a bad pitch and he crushed it," Atlanta reliever Brandon Cunniff said.
The homer was the 51st splashdown in the water beyond the right field fence since the ballpark opened in 1998. Pollock is hitting .314 while playing terrific defense.
"Definitely All-Star caliber," teammate and two-time All-Star Paul Goldschmidt said. "He does it all."
Ender Inciarte had two RBI, two runs scored and two stolen bases for the Diamondbacks. He drew a two-out walk from Cunniff (2-1) and scored on Pollock's home run.
With the speedy Inciarte to worry about, Cunniff may have been a bit distracted, Pollock thought.
"I'm sure that had a little bit of a part of it," he said. "I just got a pitch middle away. I was just trying to hit it in the gap and watch Ender run and hopefully get that tying run in and I'm fortunate it went over the fence."
A.J. Pierzynski and Todd Cunningham each drove in a pair of runs in the Braves' five-run sixth inning after the Diamondbacks had taken a 4-1 lead off Shelby Miller.
Miller lasted a season-low 4 1/3 innings, allowing four runs on six hits with six walks and one strikeout.
"Shelby struggled for the first time the whole year," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "He was battling his mechanics a little bit. His command was not like we have seen it before, but never the less we had a chance to win the ball game."
The four runs and six walks were season worsts for the right-hander, who had not allowed more than two earned runs in any of his 10 starts leading into Tuesday.
"I didn't get in the groove-type thing, but those kind of days happen," Miller said. "You are still human."
Andrew Chafin (3-0) pitched 1 1/3 inning to get the victory. Brad Ziegler threw a scoreless ninth for his fourth save.
Arizona starter Josh Collmenter left with two outs in the sixth inning and the Braves broke out.
Pierzynsky's two-run bases-loaded single off J.C. Ramirez cut the lead to 4-3, Jonny Gomes' RBI double tied it, then Cunningham's double down the left field line on the first pitch from Chafin put Atlanta up 6-4.
Miller walked Collmenter to load the bases in the second, then Inciarte singled in two. Miller walked Goldschmidt to bring in the third run.
"This game is not made for excuses and there is no reason to go out there and walk six batters," Miller said. "There is no reason to go out there and walk the pitcher. It is just a tough day."
Goldschmidt walked four times, twice intentionally. He has been walked 41 times this season, 17 in the last 13 games.
GREAT CATCH
In the third, the left fielder Inciarte made a head-first dive in the gravel in foul territory and caught Jace Peterson's foul ball. Inciarte crashed face-first into a security guard's foot. He remained on the ground but held up his glove to show he still had the ball. After trainers came out, Inciarte eventually got to his feet and stayed in the game, making another nice running catch of Freeman's fly ball to end the inning.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Braves: Gonzalez gave OF Cameron Maybin another day off. Maybin was scratched from the lineup just before Monday night's game with a sore quad/groin. Gonzalez said he expected Maybin in the lineup for Wednesday's series finale.
Diamondbacks: LH Patrick Corbin (Tommy John surgery) threw 3 2/3 scoreless innings in an extended spring training game on Monday. ... 3B Jake Lamb (left foot stress fracture) was 1 for 4 with a triple in extended spring training game Monday. He is report Wednesday to a rehab assignment with Triple-A Reno.
UP NEXT
Braves: Mike Foltynewicz (3-2, 3.96 ERA) takes the mound against Arizona Wednesday in the Braves' finale of a 10-game road trip. Atlanta is 4-5 on the trip.
Diamondbacks: RH Rubby De La Rosa (4-2, 4.50) goes for Arizona in the afternoon contest. He is 2-0 in his last five starts.
View: Play-By-Play | Pitch-By-Pitch | Inning: All | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
Atlanta - Top of 1st | SCORE | |
---|---|---|
Josh Collmenter pitching for Arizona | ATL | ARI |
Peterson bunt grounded out to shortstop. | 0 | 0 |
A. Simmons grounded out to first. | 0 | 0 |
Freeman singled to center. | 0 | 0 |
Freeman stole second. | 0 | 0 |
Markakis doubled to right, Freeman scored. | 1 | 0 |
Uribe struck out looking. | 1 | 0 |
1 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
Arizona - Bottom of 1st | SCORE | |
Shelby Miller pitching for Atlanta | ATL | ARI |
Inciarte grounded out to third. | 1 | 0 |
Pollock grounded out to shortstop. | 1 | 0 |
Goldschmidt walked. | 1 | 0 |
Trumbo struck out swinging. | 1 | 0 |
0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
Atlanta - Top of 2nd | SCORE | |
Josh Collmenter pitching for Arizona | ATL | ARI |
Pierzynski flied out to center. | 1 | 0 |
Gomes struck out looking. | 1 | 0 |
Cunningham singled to center. | 1 | 0 |
Miller grounded out to third. | 1 | 0 |
0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
Arizona - Bottom of 2nd | SCORE | |
Shelby Miller pitching for Atlanta | ATL | ARI |
Tomás flied out to center. | 1 | 0 |
Pacheco reached on infield single to third. | 1 | 0 |
Owings walked, Pacheco to second. | 1 | 0 |
Ahmed grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, Owings out at second, Pacheco to third. | 1 | 0 |
Collmenter walked, Ahmed to second. | 1 | 0 |
Inciarte singled to right, Pacheco and Ahmed scored, Collmenter to second. | 1 | 2 |
Pollock reached on infield single to shortstop, Collmenter to third, Inciarte to second. | 1 | 2 |
Goldschmidt walked, Collmenter scored, Inciarte to third, Pollock to second. | 1 | 3 |
Trumbo flied out to center. | 1 | 3 |
3 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
Atlanta - Top of 3rd | SCORE | |
Josh Collmenter pitching for Arizona | ATL | ARI |
Peterson fouled out to left. | 1 | 3 |
A. Simmons flied out to right. | 1 | 3 |
Freeman lined out to left. | 1 | 3 |
0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
Arizona - Bottom of 3rd | SCORE | |
Shelby Miller pitching for Atlanta | ATL | ARI |
Tomás singled to center. | 1 | 3 |
Pacheco grounded into double play, shortstop to second to first, Tomás out at second. | 1 | 3 |
Owings grounded out to shortstop. | 1 | 3 |
0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
Atlanta - Top of 4th | SCORE | |
Josh Collmenter pitching for Arizona | ATL | ARI |
Markakis grounded out to shortstop. | 1 | 3 |
Uribe singled to center. | 1 | 3 |
Pierzynski grounded into double play, second to shortstop to first, Uribe out at second. | 1 | 3 |
0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
Arizona - Bottom of 4th | SCORE | |
Shelby Miller pitching for Atlanta | ATL | ARI |
Ahmed walked. | 1 | 3 |
Collmenter sacrificed to first, Ahmed to second. | 1 | 3 |
Inciarte grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, Ahmed to third. | 1 | 3 |
Inciarte stole second. | 1 | 3 |
Pollock grounded out to shortstop, Ahmed scored. | 1 | 4 |
Goldschmidt intentionally walked. | 1 | 4 |
Trumbo fouled out to right. | 1 | 4 |
1 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
Atlanta - Top of 5th | SCORE | |
Josh Collmenter pitching for Arizona | ATL | ARI |
Gomes struck out swinging. | 1 | 4 |
Cunningham grounded out to shortstop. | 1 | 4 |
Miller popped out to first. | 1 | 4 |
0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
Arizona - Bottom of 5th | SCORE | |
Shelby Miller pitching for Atlanta | ATL | ARI |
Tomás struck out swinging. | 1 | 4 |
Pacheco singled to right. | 1 | 4 |
Owings singled to center, Pacheco to second. | 1 | 4 |
Martin relieved Miller. | 1 | 4 |
Pacheco to third, Owings to second on wild pitch by Martin. | 1 | 4 |
Ahmed grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, Pacheco out at home. | 1 | 4 |
Collmenter grounded out to second. | 1 | 4 |
0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
Atlanta - Top of 6th | SCORE | |
Josh Collmenter pitching for Arizona | ATL | ARI |
Peterson reached on bunt single to shortstop. | 1 | 4 |
A. Simmons lined out to center. | 1 | 4 |
Freeman grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, Peterson out at second. | 1 | 4 |
Markakis doubled to right, Freeman to third. | 1 | 4 |
Ramírez relieved Collmenter. | 1 | 4 |
Uribe walked. | 1 | 4 |
Pierzynski singled to right, Freeman and Markakis scored, Uribe to second. | 3 | 4 |
Gomes doubled to deep left, Uribe scored, Pierzynski to third. | 4 | 4 |
Chafin relieved Ramírez. | 4 | 4 |
Cunningham doubled to left, Pierzynski and Gomes scored. | 6 | 4 |
Ciriaco hit for Martin. | 6 | 4 |
Ciriaco struck out swinging. | 6 | 4 |
5 Runs, 5 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
Arizona - Bottom of 6th | SCORE | |
Nick Masset pitching for Atlanta | ATL | ARI |
Masset relieved Martin. | 6 | 4 |
Inciarte walked. | 6 | 4 |
Inciarte stole second. | 6 | 4 |
Pollock struck out swinging. | 6 | 4 |
Goldschmidt intentionally walked. | 6 | 4 |
Trumbo flied out to center, Inciarte to third. | 6 | 4 |
Tomás singled to left, Inciarte scored, Goldschmidt to third. | 6 | 5 |
Cunniff relieved Masset. | 6 | 5 |
Pacheco walked, Tomás to second. | 6 | 5 |
Owings flied out to center. | 6 | 5 |
1 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
Atlanta - Top of 7th | SCORE | |
Andrew Chafin pitching for Arizona | ATL | ARI |
Peterson walked. | 6 | 5 |
A. Simmons grounded into fielder's choice to first, Peterson out at second. | 6 | 5 |
Freeman lined out to left. | 6 | 5 |
Markakis grounded out to shortstop. | 6 | 5 |
0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
Arizona - Bottom of 7th | SCORE | |
Brandon Cunniff pitching for Atlanta | ATL | ARI |
Ahmed popped out to third. | 6 | 5 |
Hill hit for Chafin. | 6 | 5 |
Hill grounded out to third. | 6 | 5 |
Inciarte walked. | 6 | 5 |
Pollock homered to right (405 feet), Inciarte scored. | 6 | 7 |
Goldschmidt doubled to center. | 6 | 7 |
Trumbo struck out swinging. | 6 | 7 |
2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
Atlanta - Top of 8th | SCORE | |
Daniel Hudson pitching for Arizona | ATL | ARI |
Hudson relieved Chafin. | 6 | 7 |
Uribe grounded out to shortstop. | 6 | 7 |
Pierzynski grounded out to pitcher. | 6 | 7 |
Gomes struck out looking. | 6 | 7 |
0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
Arizona - Bottom of 8th | SCORE | |
Luis Avilan pitching for Atlanta | ATL | ARI |
Avilán relieved Cunniff. | 6 | 7 |
Tomás grounded out to pitcher. | 6 | 7 |
Pacheco popped out to second. | 6 | 7 |
Owings lined out to center. | 6 | 7 |
0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
Atlanta - Top of 9th | SCORE | |
Brad Ziegler pitching for Arizona | ATL | ARI |
Pennington at third base. | 6 | 7 |
Ziegler relieved Hudson. | 6 | 7 |
Cunningham singled to center. | 6 | 7 |
Young Jr. hit for Avilán. | 6 | 7 |
Young Jr. bunted into fielder's choice to pitcher, Cunningham out at second. | 6 | 7 |
Peterson grounded out to first, Young Jr. to second. | 6 | 7 |
A. Simmons grounded out to third. | 6 | 7 |
0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors |
Atlanta Braves | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hitters | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | #P | AVG | OBP | SLG |
Peterson 2B | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 14 | .268 | .339 | .345 |
A. Simmons SS | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | .270 | .321 | .395 |
Freeman 1B | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | .296 | .361 | .497 |
Markakis RF | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 20 | .299 | .387 | .361 |
Uribe 3B | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 17 | .260 | .316 | .375 |
Pierzynski C | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 12 | .261 | .307 | .391 |
Gomes LF | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 19 | .204 | .273 | .347 |
Cunningham CF | 4 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 14 | .277 | .333 | .362 |
Miller P | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | .048 | .091 | .095 |
Martin P
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
a-Ciriaco PH
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | .179 | .200 | .321 |
Masset P
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
Cunniff P
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
Avilán P
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
b-Young Jr. PH
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .171 | .232 | .276 |
Totals | 36 | 6 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 154 | |||
a-struck out swinging for C Martin in the 6th b-bunted into fielder's choice to pitcher for L Avilan in the 9th | ||||||||||
BATTING 2B: Markakis 2 (12, Collmenter 2); Gomes (5, Ramírez); Cunningham (4, Chafin) RBI: Markakis (14), Pierzynski 2 (19), Gomes (10), Cunningham 2 (4) 2-out RBI: Markakis, Pierzynski 2, Gomes, Cunningham 2 GIDP: Pierzynski Braves RISP: 4-7 (A. Simmons 0-1, Markakis 1-1, Gomes 1-1, Ciriaco 0-1, Pierzynski 1-1, Cunningham 1-1, Uribe 0-1) Team LOB: 5 | ||||||||||
BASERUNNING SB: Freeman (2, 2nd base off Collmenter/Pacheco) | ||||||||||
FIELDING DP: 1 (A. Simmons-Peterson-Freeman). |
Game Information
Stadium | Chase Field, Phoenix, AZ |
Attendance | 17,101 (35.2% full) - % is based on regular season capacity |
Game Time | 3:18 |
Weather | 100 degrees, clear |
Wind | 8 mph |
Umpires | Home Plate - Jim Reynolds, First Base - Manny Gonzalez, Second Base - Paul Schrieber, Third Base - Fieldin Culbreth |
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