D-backs Show Fight, But Lose Series to Padres
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Despite losing three of four games against the Padres, the Diamondbacks showed fight throughout this series. In today's game, they fell behind early and were unable to overcome a six-run deficit in a 7-5 loss. This series proved that the difference between the two teams came down to the little things. Arizona pitchers walked 16 batters in the series, which gave the Padres extra opportunities to score runs.
"We're a frustrated team right now" said manager Torey Lovullo. "We're a good baseball team and we can't let things like that happen over a four game series if we want to get where we're going to".
The D-backs found themselves fighting uphill from the beginning in this game, with Drey Jameson turning in a very poor start. The rookie right-hander allowed three hits, all with an exit velocity of at least 104.6 MPH, and walked three as the Padres batted through their order in the first inning. After it appeared he'd limit the damage to one run, the Padres got a two-run double from Matt Carpenter that made it 3-0 and sent Jameson into a tailspin. After a 43-pitch first, his day was over and the bullpen had to piece together the final eight innings.
Lovullo spoke about a young pitcher with a good fastball trying to just throw the ball by hitters. "[Jameson] was just throwing the ball instead of pitching. There's great lessons to be learned for every young pitcher. It doesn't matter how hard you throw it, it's where you place it, it's the movement, it's the consistency just the secondary stuff off of that."
"I just think it gets back to pitching. There was a little discussion I had with Drey that I felt like that [approach] was unacceptable" said Lovullo. "He's better than that. He's got to start to locate his fastball."
The D-backs were able to do a better job of creating their opportunities, drawing five walks against Yu Darvish after only drawing four walks in the first three games of the series. They couldn't capitalize, going 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position. Their best chance to come back into the game came in the sixth inning, when Jake McCarthy stepped up with the bases loaded. McCarthy worked the count full against reliever Brent Honeywell, but took a screwball at the top of the strike zone to leave them loaded. The D-backs would plate four runs in the seventh and eighth inning, on the strength of three home runs, but that proved to be too late.
The D-backs have weathered the early storm, with a 12-11 record after 23 games, but they can't afford to let up as the schedule lightens up on paper. The Kansas City Royals come in next for a three-game series. Left-hander Tommy Henry will make his first MLB start of 2023, with first pitch coming at 6:40PM MST.
Health Updates
- First baseman Christian Walker was unavailable for today's game, but Lovullo indicated that he could be available tomorrow.
- Outfielder Kyle Lewis has resumed baseball activities. Lewis was placed on the injured list on April 10th with a non-COVID illness.
- Carson Kelly is close to resuming baseball activities, but will still be a while before he swings a bat.
