The Arizona Diamondbacks made a resounding statement on opening day, obliterating the Colorado Rockies 16-1 in a historic offensive outburst. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. led the charge with five RBIs and three hits, including a two-run homer.
The Diamondbacks’ 14-run third inning was a franchise record and the most in an opening day inning for any team since 1900. Arizona sent 18 batters to the plate, collecting 13 hits, two walks, and a sacrifice fly. Remarkably, they did not hit a single home run during the inning.
Ketel Marte, Gurriel, Christian Walker, Gabriel Moreno, and Geraldo Perdomo all contributed with multiple hits. Corbin Carroll drew two walks, while Blaze Alexander notched his first major league hit with a single that drove in the 14th run.
The offensive explosion broke franchise records for most hits, runs, and batters in a single inning. It took the Rockies 34 minutes to record three outs.
Arizona ace Zac Gallen pitched five solid innings, allowing only one run on three hits. He was aided by stellar defensive plays from third baseman Eugenio Suarez and center fielder Alek Thomas, who snuffed out potential scoring opportunities for the Rockies.
Colorado’s Kyle Freeland bore the brunt of the damage in the third inning, surrendering 10 earned runs on 10 hits and a walk in just 2 1/3 innings. It was Freeland’s third opening day start for the Rockies, tying him with Germán Márquez for the most in franchise history.
Ryan McMahon provided some offense for the Rockies with two hits, including an RBI double in the second inning.
The Diamondbacks’ victory was a resounding start to their title defense, while the Rockies will look to regroup and avoid a similar fate in their next outing.
