PHOENIX (AP) — Christian Walker hit a two-run homer, Brandon Pfaadt pitched five solid innings and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Colorado Rockies 5-1 on Sunday.
The D-backs won three of four games in the season-opening series for both teams. Arizona dominated the majority of the weekend, outscoring Colorado 32-14.
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PHOENIX (AP) — Christian Walker hit a two-run homer, Brandon Pfaadt pitched five solid innings and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Colorado Rockies 5-1 on Sunday.
Arizona Diamondbacks' Lourdes Gurriel Jr. reacts after hitting an RBI double against the Colorado Rockies during the fifth inning of a baseball game Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Colorado Rockies right fielder Nolan Jones reacts after dropping a fly ball hit by Arizona Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte during the fifth inning of a baseball game Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Tucker Barnhart, left, and pitcher Kevin Ginkel (37) celebrate after defeating the Colorado Rockies in a baseball game, Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona Diamondbacks' Lourdes Gurriel Jr. follows through on an RBI single against the Colorado Rockies during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Colorado Rockies pitcher Ryan Feltner throws to an Arizona Diamondbacks batter during the first inning during a baseball game Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona Diamondbacks' Lourdes Gurriel Jr. steals second base between Colorado Rockies shortstop Ezequiel Tovar (14) and second baseman Brendan Rodgers during the first inning during a baseball game, Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona Diamondbacks' Corbin Carroll steals second base as Colorado Rockies shortstop Ezequiel Tovar waits for the throw during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Brandon Pfaadt throws to a Colorado Rockies batter during the first inning of a baseball game Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona Diamondbacks' Christian Walker (53) celebrates with Lourdes Gurriel Jr. after hitting a two-run home run against the Colorado Rockies during the first inning of a baseball game Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
“I really couldn't be more pleased with all the little things we did,” D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said. “They far outweighed the improvements we need to make.”
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. hit an RBI single and Walker ripped his two-run homer to left in the first, lifting the Diamondbacks to a 3-0 lead. Gurriel continued a torrid start to the season; he has three homers, two doubles and 10 RBIs over four games.
The D-backs made it 5-1 with two runs in the fifth after a costly miscue by Colorado's Nolan Jones led to two unearned runs. Jones dropped Ketel Marte's routine fly ball to left with two down, allowing Tucker Barnhart to score.
“You just don't see that a lot,” Rockies manager Bud Black said. “It's rare that happens to an outfielder when he's camped under the ball."
Marte came home one batter later on Gurriel's double.
Gurriel had a good moment in the field, too, with a quick, accurate throw to second base that cut down Jake Cave, who was trying to stretch a single into a double in the seventh inning.
Pfaadt (1-0) was a postseason star during last year's run to the World Series and continued that success Sunday. He had an inconsistent rookie year in 2023, but was solid once the calendar turned to October with a 3.27 ERA in 22 innings, giving the team a third starting pitcher it needed.
The D-backs helped Pfaadt with the three-run first. Arizona's offense scored at least two runs in the first inning in all four games of the series.
“That was key to the whole series, getting ahead early,” Pfaadt said. “Then we do our jobs as pitchers.”
The right-hander gave up one run and five hits against the Rockies, striking out six.
Colorado's Ryan Feltner (0-1) was solid after the shaky first, surrendering three earned runs and five hits in five innings. He struck out four and walked two.
“Stuff was solid, my stuff is in a good spot,” Feltner said. “Staying aggressive is the main thing. There were times I let up on some pitches when I shouldn't have.”
It was a difficult defensive day for the Rockies, who had three errors. Jacob Stallings had two hits and the team's lone RBI.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Diamondbacks: CF Alek Thomas left in the fourth and was replaced by Jake McCarthy. The team said he had left hamstring tightness. Lovullo said it was too early to tell if Thomas would miss extended time and that he'd likely have tests done on Monday.
UP NEXT
The Diamondbacks host the Yankees for a three-game series starting Monday. Arizona sends RHP Ryne Nelson to the mound for the first game while New York counters with RHP Luis Gil.
The Rockies visit the Chicago Cubs for a three-game series starting Monday. Colorado will start RHP Dakota Hudson against Chicago LHP Shota Imanaga.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB
Colorado Rockies right fielder Nolan Jones drops a fly ball hit by Arizona Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte during the fifth inning of a baseball game Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona Diamondbacks' Lourdes Gurriel Jr. reacts after hitting an RBI double against the Colorado Rockies during the fifth inning of a baseball game Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Colorado Rockies right fielder Nolan Jones reacts after dropping a fly ball hit by Arizona Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte during the fifth inning of a baseball game Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Tucker Barnhart, left, and pitcher Kevin Ginkel (37) celebrate after defeating the Colorado Rockies in a baseball game, Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona Diamondbacks' Lourdes Gurriel Jr. follows through on an RBI single against the Colorado Rockies during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Colorado Rockies pitcher Ryan Feltner throws to an Arizona Diamondbacks batter during the first inning during a baseball game Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona Diamondbacks' Lourdes Gurriel Jr. steals second base between Colorado Rockies shortstop Ezequiel Tovar (14) and second baseman Brendan Rodgers during the first inning during a baseball game, Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona Diamondbacks' Corbin Carroll steals second base as Colorado Rockies shortstop Ezequiel Tovar waits for the throw during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Brandon Pfaadt throws to a Colorado Rockies batter during the first inning of a baseball game Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona Diamondbacks' Christian Walker (53) celebrates with Lourdes Gurriel Jr. after hitting a two-run home run against the Colorado Rockies during the first inning of a baseball game Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — The Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings played a tight-checking series at even strength. The special teams matchup, however, was lopsided — and that’s why it ended in five games.
“That was a difference in this series,” Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch said.
Leon Draisaitl scored twice, and the Edmonton Oilers beat the Los Angeles Kings 4-3 in Game 5 on Wednesday night to win their first-round NHL playoff series.
The Oilers power play went 1 for 5 on the night but scored twice just after time had expired on a penalty. Edmonton finished 9 for 20 with the man-advantage in the five games. Los Angeles, meanwhile, was 0 for 1 in this game, going scoreless on 12 power plays in the series.
“It’s pretty simple to write this one,” Kings interim head coach Jim Hiller said. “You saw one team execute, and one team not, on special teams.”
Zach Hyman -- with his seventh goal of the postseason -- and Evander Kane also scored for Edmonton, which only dropped a 5-4 loss in overtime of Game 2 in the best-of-seven series.
Evan Bouchard added three assists, and Connor McDavid and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had two each as Edmonton’s offense broke out at Rogers Place. McDavid extended his points total to a playoff-leading 12 (one goal, 11 assists).
Stuart Skinner made 18 saves after posting a shutout in Edmonton’s 1-0 win at Los Angeles in Game 4.
The Oilers move on to the second round, where they’ll face the winner of a matchup between the Vancouver Canucks and Nashville Predators. Vancouver leads the series 3-2 heading into Game 6 on Friday in Nashville.
The Oilers now get some rest while waiting for their next opponent.
“Rest is always a good thing, rest is a weapon this time of year,” McDavid said. “That being said, we have to make sure we’re ready to roll. Practice hard against each other ... make sure there’s no change in our game.”
Adrian Kempe, Alex Laferriere and Blake Lizotte scored for Los Angeles, and David Rittich stopped 22 shots in his second straight start.
Edmonton eliminated Los Angeles in the opening round for the third straight year after coming out on top in six games in 2023 and seven in 2022.
“You’re out of the playoffs regardless of who beats you, but definitely not a great feeling getting the worst of it three years in a row,” the Kings' Anze Kopitar said. ”We’ve just got to play better, really. Special teams hurt us a lot, obviously, this series. There were parts of the games where we were good, we were dictating the game, but you’ve got to do it, obviously, more often and every game, too, in order to win the series.”
Down 2-1 in the second period, the Oilers scored three consecutive goals to take 4-2 lead.
Draisaitl had a power-play goal at 7:44 after a couple exchanges with McDavid to tie it. Rittich appeared to rob Draisaitl with a desperation glove save, but fans cheered as if it were a goal upon seeing the replay and officials ruled the puck crossed the line after a video review.
McDavid and Draisaitl connected again just after a penalty expired with 7:39 left in the period for the German forward’s fifth of the playoffs.
“When he’s got his feet moving, when he’s playing hard on both sides of the puck, there’s not many guys better than him in the whole world,” McDavid said. “He always seems to bring that game this time of year.”
The undisciplined Kings put Edmonton up a man again near the end of the period. This time, Hyman tapped home a puck on the goal line moments after Kings forward Pierre-Luc Dubois stepped out of the box to make it 4-2.
The Oilers hunkered down to hold off the Kings most of the third. But with the goalie pulled, Kempe deflected a shot past Skinner with 2:18 left to trim the deficit to one.
The Kings pressured for an equalizer in the final two minutes until Phillip Danault hooked Draisaitl with 19.7 seconds left — sending Edmonton on a power play and squashing L.A.’s chances of a comeback.
Kane opened the scoring on Edmonton’s second shot of the night at 10:17 with a soft backhand that slipped past Rittich.
Los Angeles tied it with 28 seconds left in the first when the puck caromed around the boards and bounced in front of the net to Laferriere, who shot into an open net with Skinner out to play the puck.
Lizotte then scored 3:08 into the second to give Los Angeles its only lead of the game and quiet Rogers Place before Edmonton replied with an onslaught.
It’s the first time the Oilers have advanced from the first round in three straight years since 1990-92.
The Oilers fell 4-2 in the second round to the eventual Stanley Cup-champion Vegas Golden Knights last year.
McDavid became the sixth player to record 10 or more assists through the first five games of the playoffs — and the first in nearly 30 years. Draisaitl joined McDavid and Sidney Crosby as the third active player to record 10 points in four or more playoff series.
AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/hub/NHL
Los Angeles Kings goalie David Rittich (31) looks on as Edmonton Oilers' Vincent Desharnais (73), Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93), Leon Draisaitl (29), Evander Kane (91) and Brett Kulak (27) celebrate a goal during the first period in Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series, on Wednesday May 1, 2024 in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
Los Angeles Kings players celebrate a goal against the Edmonton Oilers during the first period in Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series, on Wednesday May 1, 2024 in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
Los Angeles Kings' Alex Laferriere (78) scores a goal on Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner (74) during the first period in Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series, on Wednesday May 1, 2024 in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
Los Angeles Kings goalie David Rittich (31) is scored on by Edmonton Oilers' Zach Hyman (18) during the second period in Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series, on Wednesday May 1, 2024, in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
Los Angeles Kings' Matt Roy (3) chases Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid (97) as goalie David Rittich (31) poke checks the puck during the second period in Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series, on Wednesday May 1, 2024, in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
Los Angeles Kings' Mikey Anderson (44) and Pierre-Luc Dubois (80) chase Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid (97) during the second period in Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series, on Wednesday May 1, 2024, in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner (74) and Mattias Ekholm (14) celebrate the win over the Los Angeles Kings in Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series, on Wednesday May 1, 2024, in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
Los Angeles Kings and the Edmonton Oilers players shake hands after the Oilers won Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series, on Wednesday May 1, 2024, in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
Edmonton Oilers' Leon Draisaitl (29), Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) and Zach Hyman (18) celebrate a goal against the Los Angeles Kings during the second period in Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series, on Wednesday May 1, 2024, in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
Edmonton Oilers' Mattias Ekholm (14) celebrates the win over the Los Angeles Kings in Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series, on Wednesday May 1, 2024, in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
Edmonton Oilers' Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93), Leon Draisaitl (29), Evan Bouchard (2), Zach Hyman (18) and Connor McDavid (97) celebrate a goal against the Los Angeles Kings during the second period in Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series, on Wednesday May 1, 2024, in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
