Diamondbacks blast Rockies 11-2, end losing streak at 5

PHOENIX (AP) — Christian Walker said it wasn't a topic in the locker room, but clearly missing out on a franchise record for losses ranks as a rare positive in a lost year for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

“Avoiding the bottom of the barrel is good. Maybe that's not the right word. But anytime you can avoid that category," Walker said Saturday night after the Diamondbacks routed the Colorado Rockies 11-2 to end a five-game losing streak.

The win kept the Diamondbacks (51-110) from having a shot at setting a franchise record for losses, but they can still match it with a loss in Sunday's season finale. The 2004 team was 51-111.

Arizona settled things early, scoring six times in the first inning — all with two out — and knocking out Rockies starter Antonio Senzatela after just two-thirds of an inning.

Walker had three of the Diamondbacks' franchise record-tying eight doubles, Pavin Smith reached base five times and every starter contributed at least one hit in a 17-hit performance.

That included starting pitcher Zac Gallen, whose two-out, two-run double capped the scoring in the first.

Gallen (4-10) took care of the rest, giving up six hits and two runs, both on homers, while striking out six in six innings. He won last Saturday against the playoff-bound Los Angeles Dodgers in Arizona's most recent victory.

“The offense set the tone and Zac took it from there,” said Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo. “We've seen that in spurts (from the offense) but it was a solid day. Guys just banging the baseball all over the place.”

From Rockies manager Bud Black's perspective, Senzatela (4-10) was just unable to close the deal. Walker's two-out double was the first of four consecutive RBI hits with two outs.

“He couldn't get the ball down or to the corners,” Black said. “From the...

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