Alek Thomas smacked a three-run homer, while Merrill Kelly pitched well for 6 2/3 innings as the Arizona Diamondbacks defeated the Colorado Rockies 7-3 on Friday night.
Thomas made his mark in the sixth inning, crushing a slider from Jake Bird into the right-field seats for a 7-1 lead. The Diamondbacks tallied 14 hits on Friday, following up their 18-hit performance in the season opener.
“It’s infectious,” Thomas commented. “You want to be part of it. The guys are having great at-bats, making solid contact. It’s been enjoyable these past few days.”
Joc Pederson, in his debut game with the D-backs after signing a one-year deal, had four hits, including a double. Ketel Marte contributed three hits, a walk, and a stolen base. Pederson’s four-hit debut is the first in franchise history, while Marte is the first to achieve back-to-back three-hit games to start a season.
Kelly (1-0) was dominant for most of the night, allowing just one run on three hits while striking out eight. He has now pitched at least five innings in 30 consecutive regular-season starts, the second-longest streak among current MLB pitchers, behind Mitch Keller’s 32-game streak.
“It was enjoyable being out there,” Kelly remarked. “Great to get the first one done. Felt good. Happy to have started the season this way.” Kelly’s performance echoed his last outing on the mound in Game 2 of the World Series, where he pitched seven outstanding innings against the Texas Rangers, allowing just one run and striking out nine.
The Diamondbacks got on the scoreboard early with solo homers in the first inning from Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Christian Walker. Gurriel’s homer marked his second of the season, following his two-run blast in the opener.
Colorado’s Elías Díaz cut the D-backs’ lead to 2-1 with a solo homer in the second inning. Charlie Blackmon added an RBI triple in the eighth and scored on a wild pitch.
Cal Quantrill (0-1) surrendered five runs on nine hits and a walk over five innings. Quantrill, who previously played for the Cleveland Guardians, was traded to the Rockies during the offseason. “He battled and kept us in the game,” Rockies manager Bud Black said. “But their pitcher outperformed him. Kelly had a really strong outing.”
During a pregame ceremony, the Diamondbacks received their National League championship rings, featuring 41 diamonds around the logo to represent manager Torey Lovullo and the team’s 40-man roster, personalized with each player’s name.
got on the scoreboard early with solo homers in the first inning from Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Christian Walker. Gurriel’s homer marked his second of the season, following his two-run blast in the opener.
