Revived Diamondbacks Overcome Five Run Deficit to Beat Pirates 9-5

The Arizona Diamondbacks had an atrocious month of May, going just 8-19 and basically wiping out a 22-9 March and April start to the season. But as the calendar turned to June, Arizona once again looked like a club that was returning to what was expected of it as a serious post season contender.

Through games of the 11th, the Diamondbacks had won eight of 10 games in June including a three game sweep against the division rival Rockies in Colorado on June 8th-10th. Returning home on the 11th, the Diamondbacks spotted the Pittsburgh Pirates a five run lead, but then scored five runs in the seventh and four in the eighth for a 9-5 comeback win.

The Diamondbacks’ revival is due in part to the resurgence of first baseman Paul Goldschmidt. Goldschmidt hit .297 with 36 homers and 120 RBIs in 2017, and has driven in between 110-125 runs in three of his six full seasons in the majors, with a batting average between .286-.321. This season, he hit just .144 with three homers and eight RBIs in 97 at bats, and a .252 on base percentage in May. So far in June, he has 19 hits in 41 at bats for a cool .463 average with an on base percentage of .532, to go along with five homers and 12 RBIs in 10 games.

With the victory over the Pirates, Arizona’s record stood at 36-29. The Diamondbacks had a three game lead over second place Los Angeles.