Ahmed’s career-best 5 RBIs lift D-backs past Rockies 9-8

PHOENIX — Nick Ahmed had a career-best five RBIs and the Arizona Diamondbacks regrouped after blowing a five-run lead, topping the Colorado Rockies 9-8 on Friday night.

Ahmed hit a three-run homer in Arizona’s five-run first inning and an RBI single in the third. He added another run-scoring single off reliever Antonio Senzatela (0-1) in the fifth, giving the Diamondbacks an 8-7 lead after the Rockies had tied it with a five-run fourth against Robbie Ray.

Ray (1-0) got the victory despite allowing seven runs, six earned, and seven hits in five innings. He struck out eight, walked three and threw two wild pitches.

Charlie Blackmon, Ian Desmond and Gerardo Parra homered for Colorado, which lost 8-2 in its opener on Thursday night. Blackmon connected for a tying three-run shot and Parra also went deep in the fourth.

Brad Boxberger pitched a scoreless ninth against the heart of the Rockies order for his first save as Arizona’s new closer. It also was Boxberger’s first save since 2015, when he led the American League with 41.

Colorado trailed 7-2 after three innings but sent nine batters to the plate in the fourth.

After Parra’s drive made it 7-4, Chris Iannetta singled and Senzatela put down what was intended to be a sacrifice bunt. Catcher John Ryan Murphy picked up the ball in front of the plate and threw it away trying to force Iannetta at second. The error left runners at first and third for Blackmon, who drove a 1-0 pitch over the wall in straightaway center.

Arizona scored five times in the first on A.J. Pollock’s two-run double and Ahmed’s first of the season. Desmond connected after Carlos Gonzalez’s leadoff walk in the second, but Pollock led off the Arizona second with a triple to left-center and scored on Chris Owings’ single.

After Jake Lamb walked, Ahmed singled Owings home and it was 7-2.

Archie Bradley, who threw 1 2⁄3 innings of hitless relief in Arizona’s win on opening day, came on in the seventh and yielded Gonzalez’s two-out RBI single, trimming the Diamondbacks’ lead to 9-8.

Rockies starter Tyler Anderson lasted just 2 1⁄3 innings and was charged with seven runs and five hits with four walks.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Diamondbacks: RHPs Randall Delgado (strained left oblique) and Shelby Miller (Tommy John surgery) threw bullpen sessions on Friday. Delgado is on the 10-day DL, Miller the 60-day DL.

CART’S DEBUT

The new bullpen cart at Chase Field finally made a couple of appearances, but not with a pitcher in it. Instead, it twice delivered relievers jackets to the Arizona dugout.

UP NEXT

Zack Greinke, whose start was postponed due to a minor groin problem, makes his season debut for Arizona and German Marquez goes for Colorado as the Diamondbacks try to complete the season-opening three-game sweep.