PHOENIX -- Finally, a chance for Paul Goldschmidt to hit in a high-leverage situation.
If Goldschmidt was not thinking that when he batted in the 10th inning Wednesday, he may have been the only one in Chase Field.
Goldschmidt was walked in the fourth inning with no one on. He was intentionally walked in the eighth inning to load the bases. He was walked 25 times in his last 20 games, most often in a spot where his damage could be the greatest.
But there was nothing Miami could do but pitch to Goldschmidt with runners on first and third and no outs in the 10th inning Wednesday, and he made them pay.
Goldschmidt's two-run double capped a three-run 10th for a 4-3 victory over Miami, giving the D-backs a home series victory and their third win in four games.
Patience is supposed to be a virtue. But it gets a little trying at times.
"He's had to be real patient, but he got up there in a situation where they had to throw to him. He had a real good approach and he really stung it," D-backs manager Kirk Gibson said.
Goldschmidt, of course, should be feared. He leads the major leagues with 35 doubles, on a pace for 61. With 16 home runs, Goldschmidt is the only player with at least 25 doubles and 15 homers. Detroit's Miguel Cabrera has 32 doubles and 14 homers. Goldschmidt has been walked 54 times, and Andrew McCutchen (57) is the only NL player with more.
"What can you say?" Gibson said, before saying a mouthful. "He's special, and he will continue to be that way. He is going to continue to get better. If he's healthy, he'll end up having a great place in the history of the game, I believe."
His run right now is not too shabby.
Goldschmidt, the D-backs' only All-Star participant, has reached base in 45 of his last 89 plate appearances, with 20 hits and 25 walks. Since Milwaukee walked him three times on June 17, Goldschmidt had been walked at least once in 15 of 20 games. He has been walked three times in a game three times and twice twice. San Diego walked him eight times in a three-game series the last weekend of June.
Whatever opponents do, he will not change his disciplined plan to attack.
"I don't really change my approach that much," Goldschmidt said. "I just try to look for a pitch that I can hit hard, and if it is out of the zone I try to take it. You just try to have a good at-bat. Hopefully you hit it hard and they don't catch it."
Opponents caught on last year, when Goldschmidt was walked 99 times, most in the second half. Managers refused to let him swing at critical times. To his credit, Goldschmidt has no problem passing the baton.
"We have eight other guys in our lineup that can hit pretty well," he said.
Not that opponents don't know which to avoid.
Follow Jack Magruder on Twitter
