Takeaways from D-backs' rout of Rockies

PHOENIX -- The D-backs rode a six-run first inning to an 11-2 win over the Rockies on Saturday night at Chase Field.

One day after scoring seven runs in the third inning only to lose 9-7, the D-backs were able to tack on runs after the first in support of starter Zac Gallen.

Here are some things to know about this game:

1. Gallen finished the year on a good note
The 2021 season was not an easy one for Gallen. He opened the season on the injured list with a fracture in his right forearm and he also spent significant time on the shelf later with a sprained ulnar collateral ligament.

The two absences made it difficult for Gallen to get any kind of consistent rhythm going. As a result, he was unable to replicate the same level of success that he had in 2019 and 2020.

However, after allowing just two runs over six innings Saturday night, Gallen finished the season with a 3.19 ERA over his final eight starts.

"The biggest thing, just talking with the staff here, coaches, medical team, anytime you come back from an injury, especially something arm, shoulder, elbow, whatever it may be, the last thing that comes back is the feel [for pitches]," Gallen said. "You just concentrate on feeling healthy, making sure that that spot where you're injured feels good and then after a while the rust starts to just come off and the feel starts to come back."

2. Christian Walker had another good night
It's been a miserable year for Walker, who has dealt with injuries and tremendous struggles at the plate.

Saturday night he was 3-for-5 with three doubles and he is now 8-for-14 with four doubles over his past three games.

"Honestly, it doesn't change how I feel going into the offseason or the things I need to address," Walker said. "There's no scenario where this makes me want to take my foot off the gas pedal or anything like that, but it's great to do. [I] feel like I have a good relationship with the game going into the offseason."

3. The D-backs won't set a record for losses
The victory was the 51st of the season for the D-backs and it assures them that they will do no worse than tie the franchise record for losses of 111.

"Anytime you can avoid that category it's good," Walker said. "That's honestly news to me. It's not something anybody was talking about or anything like that, but, yeah, I mean avoiding the bottom of the barrel is -- you know -- it's definitely a good thing."