'Magic meatballs' help D-backs topple Phils

PHILADELPHIA -- The D-backs seemed to feel right at home in Thursday's series opener against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park -- and it's hard to blame them.

A trip to the ballpark that started with a home-cooked meal in the clubhouse ended with an 8-7 victory on the field, thanks in large part to a pair of D-backs from the greater Philadelphia area.

Christian Walker, a native of Norristown, Pa., led that charge offensively, matching a career high with four hits -- and reaching safely in each of his five plate appearances. That all came after his mom, Julie, delivered approximately 120 homemade meatballs -- a family recipe passed down from generations that Walker said was enjoyed at every family gathering and holiday growing up -- for the team prior to the game. She then had a perfect view of Walker's big night, sitting with other family members and friends on the visitors' dugout side of home plate.

"It's great to be back home. I love seeing my mom, I don't get to see her too often,” Walker said. “It feels good to give her a big hug and see some familiar faces. It was a lot of fun."

Along with his mom, Walker had plenty of other family members in attendance, including his sister, his aunt, his grandfather and his wife, among others. In addition to the eight tickets he left for his mom, Walker had previously bought another batch of tickets for other family members -- and even more snagged their own block of tickets, bringing the total to 20-30.

“I want to show them something that they're proud of. I want to give them a reason to cheer,” Walker said. “Not that you're trying harder or anything like that, it's hard to explain -- but it's a great feeling to be able to do something like that in front of them.”

Meanwhile, Zac Gallen, who grew up approximately 15 miles southeast of Citizens Bank Park in Gibbsboro, N.J., turned in his second straight impressive outing en route to picking up the victory. The right-hander allowed just two unearned runs over five innings while striking out six.

An equally important number, however, may be the amount of meatballs he consumed: zero.

“They were all gone or I didn't see them. Once I got to the field, I was in my zone,” Gallen said. “I didn't see them out, so either they got demolished or I just didn't see them.”

Manager Torey Lovullo may have been partially to blame.

"I've been looking forward to those meatballs all year. His mom does an unbelievable job,” Lovullo said. “I knocked down a good dozen of them."

Though Gallen didn’t get to partake in the home-cooked food on Thursday, he was able to enjoy dinner with his mom on Wednesday. With the D-backs playing a night game in Pittsburgh on Wednesday, Gallen traveled ahead of the team to Philadelphia and he was able to visit with his mom and grandparents, while visiting some old spots around his hometown.

Gallen estimated that at least 70 family and friends were in attendance on Thursday, though he said that number may have ended up closer to 100.

“There's a lot of people texting me saying, 'Hey, we're coming' or 'Hey, we're watching on TV’ or this, that and the other thing,” Gallen said. “Obviously, we got the win -- I'm super pumped about that -- but it was pretty heartfelt to have a lot of people reach out and come to the game. Just take some time to come and watch and support.”

Gallen returned to the field following his postgame media session to visit with a couple dozen from that group who had waited alongside the visitors’ dugout.

He may also have another surprise waiting for him when he gets to the clubhouse on Friday.

“I was selfishly just thinking, 'As long as I get some meatballs, then whatever,'” Walker said. “But her being the team mom my whole life, she actually -- and Gallen will be glad to hear this -- there was like 120 [meatballs] in there, so I'm sure there are a couple containers still stashed. Other than Torey eating like 30 or whatever he ate, I think everyone ate their allotted amount, so there should be plenty for tomorrow. Plus, I need some hits, so there better be some available.”

All the credit goes to the meatballs?

“Oh yeah, 100%. Magic meatballs,” Walker said. “It's got to be the meatballs.”