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Drew homers in return to team
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Stephen Drew rounds the bases after hitting a homerun in the sixth inning against the San Francisco Giants.
Julio Jimenez, Tribune
Diamondbacks shortstop Stephen Drew was welcomed back to Chase Field Tuesday night with the home crowd roaring and on its feet.
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Drew, who missed games on Sunday and Monday due to his grandmother’s death, hit a home run in his first game back in the bottom of the sixth inning. Drew’s solo home run gave the D-Backs a 2-0 lead over the San Francisco Giants.
Drew received news Friday of his grandmother’s death and flew home Saturday to Georgia to attend funeral services over the weekend.
Second baseman Augie Ojeda filled in during Drew’s absence.
Drew returned to the valley Tuesday morning and didn’t arrive to the ballpark until 2:25 p.m.
“It’s nice that he came back as soon as he did,” pitcher Dan Haren said. “I’m sure his grandmother would’ve wanted him to do that and now he got that big hit today and hopefully it will help just lift his spirits just a little bit.”
Drew left immediately after the game ended to be with his wife, Laura.
“Obviously his mind was elsewhere and those things are more important than baseball. Families are first and most important,” Haren said.
This season Drew has 18 home runs, 11 triples and 37 doubles. If he reaches 40 doubles, Drew would be the fifth shortstop in the National League with at least 40 doubles, 10 triples and 10 home runs in a season. He would join former D-Back Steve Finley as the only two D-Backs to accomplish the feat.
Drew’s home run came on a change-up and manager Bob Melvin commended Drew’s progress on hitting off-speed pitches.
“He has been working very hard this year to be a better breaking ball hitter,” Melvin said.
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