For the most part, the Arizona Diamondbacks' performance in their three-game season-opening series against the Colorado Rockies wasn't exactly what fans had in mind.
There were, however, a number of positives to find within those three games, even though the D-backs fell short in two of them.
Here are five important takeaways from the D-backs-Rockies series at Chase Field.
1. The big Story
We’ve got to begin by addressing the history that Rockies rookie Trevor Story made.
First, the 23-year-old shortstop became the first player in Major League Baseball history to have each of his first four MLB hits be home runs.
With four homers in three games, @TStory2 is writing his own Hollywood biopic: https://t.co/uzLxsxmByU pic.twitter.com/XOrRsX0wW8
— Cut4 (@Cut4) April 6, 2016
And then, there's this after Wednesday's game.
Trevor Story’s first-inning HR for @Rockies gave him the most in a player’s first three career games since 1900. pic.twitter.com/BqCB1VMtlr
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 6, 2016
The Rockies hit 10 home runs in this series, and Story was responsible for four of them, including two off Opening Day starter Zack Greinke. Speaking of whom…
2. About those pair of aces…
Those two star pitchers the D-backs acquired during the offseason? Well, they combined to set a franchise record in the D-backs' first two games.
Zack Greinke & Shelby Miller (ARI): 13 ER in first 2 combined starts. That's the most allowed in 1st 2 starts of season in D-Backs history
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 6, 2016
On Monday, Greinke had his worst outing in four years (seven runs allowed in four innings). A report Tuesday said the 32-year-old was dealing with the flu, but manager Chip Hale said that was news to him.
Shelby Miller was nearly as bad in his start Tuesday, allowing six runs in six innings. Both men gave up three home runs, as did Patrick Corbin, who started Wednesday's game.
The D-backs spent a lot of money on these guys (especially Greinke) and are obviously hoping these performances will be the exception to the rule this season.
3. Offense picks up where it left off
Want some good news? Here you go: The D-backs set a good record by accruing 27 hits on Monday and Tuesday, a franchise record for hits in the first two games of a season.
On Tuesday, every D-back in the starting lineup except the pitcher got at least one hit, as the Snakes rallied from a 6-2 deficit to earn what would be their only win of the series.
Yes, it's still very early. But so far, so good for a team that was second in the National League in runs scored last season but is looking at a possible drop-off in production minus injured All-Star outfielder A.J. Pollock.
4. Ahmed and Segura shine
In particular, a pair of Diamondbacks infielders have looked sharp early on. Nick Ahmed, who's known more for his outstanding defense at shortstop, hit .545 (6 for 11) against the Rockies, including a ninth-inning home run Wednesday.
Shortstop-turned-second baseman Jean Segura, who was acquired from the Brewers in an offseason trade, is also off to a fantastic start. The 26-year-old went .429 (6 for 14) with a home run, a triple and a stolen base vs. Colorado.
When you hit .429 with a homer, a triple and a stolen base in your first three career @Dbacks games. #JeanSegura pic.twitter.com/w0GVqlmW9c
— ABC15 Sports (@abc15sports) April 7, 2016
5. Bullpen has been fine
The starters have not been good, but for the most part, the Diamondbacks' bullpen has been stellar. Aside from a three-run homer allowed by Silvano Bracho on Opening Day (Bracho has since been demoted), Arizona's relievers have come through thus far.
In the last two games, Jake Barrett, Randall Delgado, Daniel Hudson, Tyler Clippard and Brad Ziegler have combined to allow no runs and just one hit in five innings of work. Clippard, a two-time All-Star whom the D-backs acquired via free agency in February, was credited with the D-backs' only win.
Again, it's still very early, but this is a positive sign for a bullpen that improved considerably last season compared to the season before, and looks to continue to do so.
