Diamondbacks at Rockies
Ketel Marte is on track to bury his previous season-best mark for homers and the Arizona infielder-outfielder looks to clear the fence again when the Diamondbacks visit the Colorado Rockies on Saturday in the middle contest of a three-game set. The switch-hitting Marte raised his season count to nine when he homered from both sides of the plate for the third time this season as Arizona prevailed in a 10-9 slugfest in the series opener.
Marte, who hit 14 homers last season, joined Ken Caminiti (four times in 1996, three in 1995 for the San Diego Padres) as the only National League players to homer from both sides of the plate three or more times in a season. "I feel great right now at home plate," Marte said in a postgame television interview following his four-RBI outing. "I know what I can do. I have something more I can do out there. I just put my best swing." While Arizona has won eight of its last 10 games, the Rockies have lost four of their past six games despite scoring 31 runs in their last three outings. Colorado star Nolan Arenado had his third straight three-hit outing in the opener and is 9-for-15 with three homers and six RBIs and five runs scored over the past three games.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS Arizona, AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Colorado)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Luke Weaver (2-1, 3.73 ERA) vs. Rockies LH Kyle Freeland (2-4, 4.81)
Weaver received a no-decision against the Chicago Cubs in his last turn when he gave up three runs and six hits over 4 1/3 innings. The 25-year-old has walked a total of three batters over his last four starts and has fanned 36 against seven bases on balls in 31 1/3 innings. Weaver is 0-1 with a 13.50 ERA in three career appearances (two starts) against the Rockies and been torched by Arenado (4-for-5 with one homer and four RBIs).
Freeland served up two homers and allowed five runs and six hits over six innings while losing to the Milwaukee Brewers in his last turn. The Denver native, who turns 26 on May 14, has lost four of his last five starts and has struggled this season with lefties (.407) while easily handling righties (.176). Freeland is 3-2 with a 3.80 ERA in eight career starts against the Diamondbacks and has served up a homer to Marte (3-for-11, three walks).
WALK-OFFS
1. Diamondbacks RF Adam Jones went 3-for-5 with a homer in the opener after being 0-for-15 over his previous four appearances.
2. Colorado activated Chris Iannetta (lat) from the 10-day injured list and designated fellow C Drew Butera for assignment.
3. Arizona recalled OF Tim Locastro from Reno and optioned C Caleb Joseph to the same Triple-A affiliate.