D-Backs break out with historic inning

The Diamondbacks aim to rebound from a disappointing loss when they take on the Colorado Rockies at 5:40 p.m. on Wednesday. 

D-Backs storm ahead with 10-run fourth

The Diamondbacks broke out with a 10-spot in the fourth inning, chasing Rockies starter Jeff Hoffman from the game to take a commanding 10-1 lead at Coors Field on Wednesday night.

The Diamondbacks collected nine hits – none of them home runs – and drew two walks en route to scoring the most runs in an inning on the road in franchise history. It also a club record for most hits in an inning in a road game.

David Peralta (two singles), Paul Goldschmidt (double, single) and Brandon Drury (double, single) each had two hits apiece in the fourth.

Aggressive mentality behind Chafin’s success

Left-hander Andrew Chafin was the last player to make the club out of spring training, beating out Silvino Bracho for the final spot in the Diamondbacks bullpen. But it didn’t take him long to establish himself as an important weapon for manager Torey Lovullo.

Chafin has been impressive in 31 appearances, posting a 1.90 ERA with 33 strikeouts and eight walks in 23 2/3 innings. He’s pitching more like he did two years ago and less like the pitcher who struggled for stretches last year.

“It was a bit of trying to be too perfect (last year) instead of just rear back, throw the damn thing and wish them luck,” Chafin said. “This year, it’s just been going out there and attacking guys, being aggressive and going after them and saying, ‘All right, let’s see what you got.’”

Another change for Chafin this year has been in the way he’s warmed up before appearances.

“It’s been night and day difference as far as my saving of pitches in the bullpen,” he said. “Now, if I throw 11 or 12 warmup pitches in the bullpen, that’s a lot. Last year or the year before, I’d be upwards of 20.”

Chafin said he sometimes will enter a game after just as few as four warmup pitches, knowing he still has eight more tosses on the game mound before play resumes.

“My arm has been a lot fresher, a lot better feeling, and it’s been working out well so far,” he said.

Familiar faces

Utility man Daniel Descalso has a unique perspective on the two surprise teams in the NL West. He’s currently one of the Diamondbacks’ more valuable bench players, and he spent the previous two seasons in a similar role with the Colorado Rockies.

“I’m not really surprised with the way they’ve played this year,” he said. “I think for a while there last year we saw some flashes of being a good, competitive ballclub, but then we kind of just faded a little bit after the All-Star break.”

Descalso remembers being impressed by what he saw out of rookie pitchers Jeff Hoffman and German Marquez during their short time in the majors last season, and he had heard the Rockies had more talented young arms on the way.

“I knew at some point that one, two, three or maybe all of these guys were going to work out for him,” he said. “They seem to be throwing the ball well.”

Descalso said he talked about sticking with the Rockies when he reached free agency last winter, but ultimately decided the Diamondbacks were a better fit.

“It just felt like there were more opportunities to get in the lineup over here,” he said.

He signed a one-year, $1.5 million deal with the Diamondbacks in February, about a week before the start of spring training.

Short hop

Left-hander Steve Hathaway underwent a debridement surgery on his left shoulder on Monday, a procedure that called for a cleaning up of fraying of rotator cuff and labrum. He’ll miss the remainder of the season.

Lineup

Chris Iannetta will be behind the dish for Taijuan Walker when the D-Backs try to even up their series with the Rockies. 

The Diamondbacks signed first-round pick Pavin Smith on Wednesday, and the slugging first baseman out of Virginia is expected to report to the club’s short-season Hillsboro affiliate.

Smith received a bonus of $5,016,300, which is the full slot value for where he was selected at No. 7 overall.

Wednesday’s game

Diamondbacks at Rockies

When: 5:40 p.m.

Where: Coors Field, Denver.

Pitchers: Diamondbacks RHP Taijuan Walker (5-3, 3.32) vs. Rockies RHP Jeff Hoffman (4-0, 2.25).

TV/Radio: FSAZ/KTAR-AM (620), KHOV-FM (105.1).

Walker gave up just one run in five innings in Detroit last week, his first start in nearly a month due to a blister on his right index finger. He showed no ill-effects from the blister, striking out six, walking just one and allowing just six hits. … He pitched at Coors Field earlier this season, giving up three runs (one earned) in 5 2/3 innings. It was just the second start of his career in Denver. … Hoffman has split time between Triple-A and the big leagues, but he’s been terrific during his time in the majors this season. He’s given up just three earned runs in 18 1/3 innings in his past three starts, walking four and striking out 19. … He faced the Diamondbacks once last season and was hit hard, allowing seven runs (four earned) in 4 2/3 innings. … Hoffman has a fastball that averages 95 mph to go with curveball, slider and the occasional change-up.

Coming up

Thursday: At Colorado, 12:10 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Zack Godley (2-1, 2.34) vs. Rockies RHP Antonio Senzatela (9-2, 4.10).

Friday: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Patrick Corbin (6-6, 5.19) vs. Phillies TBA.

Saturday: At Chase Field, 7:10 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Robbie Ray (7-3, 2.87) vs. Phillies RHP Ben Lively (1-1, 3.33).