The Arizona Diamondbacks kicked off their home opener with a bang, showcasing their power, timely hitting, and strong pitching to secure a well-deserved victory against the Colorado Rockies. With a packed stadium and the energy palpable, the D-backs came out firing on all cylinders from the first inning to the last.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Christian Walker set the tone early, launching back-to-back home runs in the opening frame. Gurriel's moonshot soared into the bullpen, while Walker's hit was a line drive that left no room for error. Gurriel's impressive performance now marks a homer in every game so far this season, truly highlighting his prowess at the plate.

The Rockies managed to get one run back with Elias Diaz's solo shot off D-backs pitcher Merrill Kelly. However, it proved to be merely a blip on the radar as the D-backs capitalized on several scoring opportunities, eventually breaking the game open with a four-run sixth inning. Eugenio Suarez, who has been on fire with four hits in two games, contributed to the scoring with a timely hit to right field.

But it was Alek Thomas who delivered the knockout blow - a three-run homer to right field, instantly putting the game out of reach for the Rockies. Thomas's contribution was hailed as clutch and timely by manager Torey Lovullo, who emphasized the importance of pitching, defense, and timely hitting in securing the victory.

On the pitching front, Kelly dazzled on the mound, tallying eight strikeouts and facing minimal resistance after the second inning. His impressive outing extended his streak of pitching five-plus innings to 30 consecutive games, making him the holder of the second-longest active streak in MLB. Kelly showcased his recently developed slider, using it to great effect with a pair of strikeouts.

Manager Lovullo made the decision to pull Kelly at 79 pitches, citing concerns about overextending him early in the season. Kelly, however, expressed contentment with his performance, with the slider particularly standing out as a valuable addition to his pitching arsenal.

The D-backs' solid defensive plays and Suarez's remarkable presence at third base further solidified their dominance on the field. The team's victory also marked a significant milestone, as it was their 2,000th regular-season win in Diamondbacks history.

Looking ahead, the squad gears up for a more routine day on Saturday, although Corbin Carroll will be honored with the 2023 Jackie Robinson National League Rookie of the Year award before the game. With their performance and momentum, the D-backs aim to continue their winning streak and make a statement in the early stages of the season.

The Saturday game is scheduled for a 5:10 p.m. start time and can be watched on 98.7 or the Arizona Sports app, ensuring fans will not miss a moment of the action.