PHOENIX — Arizona Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson said Monday night there are certain events in a player’s career that are “scrapbook moments.”
Center fielder A.J. Pollock had just had such a moment minutes earlier when his two-run, two-out home run in the bottom of the ninth inning lifted the Diamondbacks to a 7-5 victory over the San Diego Padres.
“Moments like that are very impactful in allowing you to believe when you get in these situations the rest of your career,” said Gibson, who had his fair share of such moments himself.
When Pollock first took the field to stay with the Diamondbacks last season, it was due mostly to his speed and his defense. Power wasn’t part of the equation.
Though home-run power likely won’t become his calling card — Monday’s home run was only the 16th of his brief career — Pollock is looking to muscle up when he can.
“I’m taking more chances,” Pollock said. “I knew a single wasn’t going to win it. I’m not trying to slap a single. I’m trying to hit it into the gap and drive in a run. I was looking to hit the ball in the gap and do some damage. It going over the fence is pretty cool.”
After going 0-for-13 in his first three games, Pollock moved above the .200 mark to stay on April 12. He’s since pushed his average as high as .315 and finished Monday’s game at .298 after a 3-for-5 performance.
“He’s learning,” Gibson said. “Every time you get into more ways you learn from it and progress in your career.”