Tonight I had the real pleasure of bringing my 3 month old son to Chase Field for his first ever baseball game, and what a great night all around it was! Especially considering the way this team played the past week or 2, tonight felt like all was right once again in the world. Tonight felt like the Dbacks baseball we were hoping to see a lot of in 2025.
Zac Gallen looked like a staff anchoring ace. Gallen went 7 very strong innings of 2 hit ball allowing just 1 ER and striking out 6. I know much has been said about Gallen and not living up to expectations so far this year, but tonight was once again a reminder of what could be as he kept a red-hot Mets lineup guessing all night.
The bullpen also came in and rose to the occasion like we knew they could shutting down the Mets offense for 2 innings between Kevin Ginkel and new de facto closer Shelby Miller. Both Ginkel and Miller looked strong despite Miller struggling with command a little bit in the 9th. All in all, Miller has done a tremendous job of stepping into one of the toughest jobs on the field when we really have needed someone to do just that.
Offensively, it appears as though Lourdes Gurriel Jr. could officially be back as he came a triple shy of the cycle tonight with the biggest hit being his 6th inning 2-run HR that gave the Dbacks some cushion with a 4-1 lead. Gurriel Jr has a propensity to get red hot and put the team on his back for a month or 2 every summer and that couldn’t come at a better time right now for a team that has been searching offensively especially from the right side of the plate.
It should also be noted that Gabi Moreno was a late scratch to the game tonight due to side tightness from the play at the plate yesterday, and Jose Herrera stepped in and stepped up big time! On the defensive side, Herrera deserves credit for being prepared and catching the first 7 inning start of the Dbacks season. The amount of time and preparation that goes into calling a game like tonight shouldn’t be understated. Especially when called upon at the 11th hour before the game. Offensively Herrera was on base 3 times tonight including 2 big hits to set the stage for the top of the order.
Even though he likely won’t remember any of it, it was a really special night at the ballpark for me and my young family. Especially because the Dbacks looked like their old selves once again. Zac Gallen looked like an ace. The defense was sharp. The bullpen slammed the door. The offense came alive thanks to some familiar ‘Pina Power’. Heck, I was even sitting 3 seats away from likely the most famous Met fan Frank the Tank from Barstool Sports and got to see several of his trademark freak outs up close and personal at the hands of my snakes. Added another layer of joy to my night for sure. Tonight was just a great night to be a Dbacks fan at Chase Field. One that I will remember forever.