D-backs slam slumping Sox, rip 5 HRs

PHOENIX -- There were no pregame fireworks prior to the D-backs home opener Friday afternoon.

Instead, the D-backs saved their firepower for the game as they roughed up the Red Sox, 15-8, in front of a sellout crowd at Chase Field.

“It’s everything you kind of dream about for Opening Day,” D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said. “It was a pretty complete game for us. You throw up a ton of runs offensively, just about everybody in the lineup had more than one hit.”

The D-backs lost A.J. Pollock and Paul Goldschmidt in the offseason, and then outfielder Steven Souza Jr. suffered a season-ending knee injury a few days before Opening Day. Prior to Friday’s game, the team learned it would be without Jake Lamb for approximately six weeks.

Given the offseason departures and an uneven spring, there was a thought that the team might have trouble scoring runs.

That’s not the case so far though, as the D-backs have scored five or more runs in seven of their first eight games of the regular season.

Friday, the D-backs hit five home runs, including a pair from Ketel Marte, and his first career grand slam. Adam Jones, Alex Avila and Ildemaro Vargas each hit homers as part of an 18-hit barrage that chased starter Rick Porcello (0-2) from the game in the fifth.

It hasn’t just been one or two hot bats carrying the D-backs. Much like Friday when there were hits up and down the order, seemingly everyone has had a hand in contributing.

“Just having quality at-bats,” Avila said. “Regardless of who’s in the lineup that’s going to be the key to any offense. Being able to have quality at-bats, knowing your strength as a hitter, trying to stick to those and know when it’s time to take team at-bats. If you’re able to do that, like today, one through nine, it usually means a good day.”

There has been praise for the new hitting staff with coach Darnell Coles, assistant hitting coach Eric Hinske and run prevention coordinator Drew Hedman.

But it has also come down to executing when it matters most.

Last season, the D-backs were 10th in the National League in hitting with runners in scoring position.

“I felt like, at times, yeah, we were trying to do too much damage early in counts, and rolling over some balls and hitting ground balls to the pull side,” Lovullo said. “We’re doing a really nice job. We’re staying behind the ball and impacting the ball and putting it on the barrel.”

This year, the D-backs entered play Friday second in the NL behind only the Dodgers in hitting with runners in scoring position, and they were 5-for-12 in those situations against the Red Sox.

Success with runners in scoring position comes from not trying to do too much and in order to avoid that, you have to have the confidence that your teammates can come through if you don’t.

“You’ve got to be able to trust the guy behind you,” Avila said. “Recognize when there’s times to try and drive the guy in from second or move him over. Know when to take a pitch. Know when to be aggressive. Making sure that you’re as focused as possible in those situations if you have men on third base with less than two outs. Those are the type of team at-bats that you want to try and be as consistent as possible.”

Is this kind of offense sustainable for the next six months? Only time will tell, but Jones, who has experienced many ups and downs during his 14 years in the big leagues knows better than to ask that.

“Right now, it’s going good,” he said. “It’s easy when things go good. We’re just trying to ride the wave and have quality at-bats every single game.”

They said it
“It’s fun to hit two homers in one day, and every time I’m just trying to give 100 percent and do the best I can for the team to get a win. I feel great right now. I feel healthy, I feel stronger, my mind is ready and I’m getting the opportunity to play.” -- Marte, on his big game at the plate.