Blake Walston Struggles in First Start of 2024

The Diamondbacks left-handed pitching prospect had a game to forget against Sacramento

Blake Walston during photo day at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on Feb. 21, 2024. / Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY

Blake Walston's first start of the 2024 season went poorly, as the left-hander struggled to throw strikes in Tuesday's home opener for the Reno Aces. Walston allowed four runs on five hits, three walks, and four strikeouts in 2 1/3 innings. Two of the five hits left the ballpark.

He featured a fastball in the 87-93 MPH range with a mid 80s cutter, low 80s slider, and a mid 80s changeup. He generated nine swings and misses, four on his fastball, two on the changeup, two on the slider, and one on the cutter. However he was hit hard, with seven of the eight balls put into play against him registering an exit velocity of at least 95 MPH.

Outfielder Randal Grichuk played seven innings in right field and got four at-bats, going 1-for-4. It is his third rehab game with Reno, where he's 4-for-12 with a home run while playing center and right field. Grichuk is eligible to come off the injured list as early as the Braves series which starts this Friday, but the Diamondbacks could wait until they head to Coors Field to play the Rockies next week. Grichuk has yet to play in back to back days, a box he likely needs to check before he comes back.

Justin Martinez entered a 2nd and 3rd, one out jam in the 9th inning. He struck out the first hitter on three pitches then got called for a pitch clock violation when he twice violated the Max Scherzer rule. A groundout to first, with a sliding stop from Tristin English, ended the inning. The 10th inning wouldn't be as lucky, as Martinez hit the first batter he faced in the inning. After a hit put the River Cats on top, he induced an inning-ending double play to limit the damage to one run. Martinez induced five whiffs, four coming on his splitter.

Pavin Smith singled and walked in five plate appearances at DH. Catcher José Herrera collected a pair of hits and an RBI.