Eugenio Suárez hit a grand slam and drove in five runs, while Joc Pederson added two early RBIs as the Arizona Diamondbacks won their sixth consecutive game, beating the Colorado Rockies 11-4 on Wednesday.
Arizona completed a sweep of the three-game series and has won 18 of their last 21 games, moving into playoff contention with their longest winning streak since last August. After a 6-1 homestand, the NL champions are heading out on a nine-game road trip to Tampa Bay, Miami, and Boston.
“It’s awesome,” Suárez said. “It’s very fun to come here, compete, and every time you come into the clubhouse you feel that good energy, good vibes. You want to be a part of that.”
Suárez had three hits, including a grand slam on the first pitch he saw from Riley Pint in the sixth inning, which gave the Diamondbacks a 10-3 lead. This was Suárez’s fourth career grand slam.
He mentioned that he was extra motivated after Pederson and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. were hit by pitches earlier in the inning.
“He made that mistake with a slider and I was ready to put it in play,” Suárez said.
Arizona took a 4-0 lead in the first inning, partly due to poor defense by the Rockies, who now have the worst road record in the NL at 17-46.
Pederson’s double down the right-field line scored Corbin Carroll and Jake McCarthy for the first two runs. Pederson then scored himself when first baseman Michael Toglia’s throw to second base went astray and ended up in the left-center warning track.
Josh Bell reached base due to catcher’s interference by Jacob Stallings, Gurriel Jr. singled, and Suárez was hit by a pitch, loading the bases. Geraldo Perdomo then forced into a run with a walk.
“We came in offensively, had a couple quality at-bats, and took advantage of a misplay on their part and it really set the tone for the day,” D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said.
