RattleON - A DBacks Dynasty Presented by BigJDotCom01

[bigjdotcom01]

MAY 20-22: ARIZONA (24-26) @ SAN DIEGO (27-23)

May 20: Padres 8, DBacks 3
May 21: DBacks 3, Padres 2
May 22: Padres 6, DBacks 5

The San Diego Padres took two of three from Arizona to begin the DBacks 10-game road trip. Bullpen issues continue to plague this team as the bullpen blew up in both loses.

In the opener, the Padres used a six run eighth inning to defeat the Arizona Diamondbacks 8-3. Fernando Tatis Jr had the big blow with a three-run shot to left off a Yoshihira Hirano.

The DBacks bullpen continues to underwhelm in 2019. On Monday night Matt Koch and Hirano combined to throw three innings, allowing six runs on seven hits. The loss was Arizona’s second straight and dropped them two games below .500.

In game two, Zack Godley tossed another gem, and got some help from his bullpen, which tossed three scoreless innings in a 3-2 victory over the Padres. Merrill Kelly worked two scoreless innings and Greg Holland pitched a perfect ninth inning, striking out the side to pick up his first save on the season.

David Peralta, Jake Lamb and Blake Swihart each hit RBI doubles to provide the offense.

Zack Godley (4-1) pitched six innings, allowing two runs on six hits. He struck out four.

In the rubber match, the Padres hit four home runs off of starter Taijuan Walker, but had to rally to win it with a walk off RBI single from Manuel Margot in the bottom of the ninth, as they slipped past the DBacks 6-5.

Arizona rallied late, scoring once in the seventh, a two-run home run from Steve Souza Jr in the eighth and a pinch-hit, two-out RBI double from Eduardo Escobar in the ninth to tie the ball game. But Andrew Chafin gave up a lead off single to Fernando Tatis Jr to open the ninth. He then threw a wild pitch to advance Tatis into scoring position. Manuel Margot then lined a single back up the middle, scoring Tatis with the game winner.

The DBacks have Thursday off as they travel up the coast for a three game weekend series with second place San Francisco.

The Padres walked it off on Wednesday afternoon to win the series.

[bigjdotcom01]

MAY 24-26: ARIZONA (26-27) @ SAN FRAN (28-25)

May 24: Giants 5, DBacks 1
May 25: DBacks 4, Giants 0
May 26: DBacks 11, Giants 2

Arizona took two of three from San Francisco at Oracle Park this weekend, but the series was costly as they lost both Zack Greinke and David Peralta to injuries.

Game one was costly in more ways than one for Arizona as they dropped a 5-1 decision to the San Francisco Giants, plus lost Zack Greinke to a finger injury in the first inning. They then lost David Peralta to a hand injury in the ninth inning, as he was hit by a pitch. He had to leave the game, and he also saw his 14-game hitting streak end as he went 0 for 3.

The DBacks got an RBI double from Eduardo Escobar in the first inning, then could not push anything else across as Madison Bumgarner (3-4) was on his game. He went 6 2/3, allowing the one run on just four hits. He struck out eight and walked two.

Matt Koch (0-3) pitched well in relief of Grienke. He went six plus innings, allowing two runs on seven hits. Matt Andriese struggled again out of the bullpen, allowing three runs on just two hits in the eighth inning.

Notes: After the game, both Zack Greinke and David Peralta were placed on the 10-day Injured List. Matt Andriese was optioned to Triple-A Reno. Luke Weaver was recalled from Triple-A Reno to take Greinke’s spot. He was 4-1 with a 1.64 ERA since being sent down back in April. Jon Duplantier, the DBacks top prospect was recalled from Double-A Jackson. Manager Torey Lovullo said he will work in long relief. He was 6-0 with a 3.15 ERA in Jackson.

Tim Locastro was recalled from Triple-A Reno to take David Peralta’s spot on the roster. He will likely be on the bench with Steven Souza Jr moving into the starting lineup.

The Diamondbacks got a much needed victory in Saturday afternoon’s matinee, as Dallas Keuchel tossed 7 2/3 shutout innings in a 4-0 victory. A Nick Ahmed RBI single in the second was all the offense that Arizona would need as they stopped a two-game skid.

Eduardo Escobar got the DBacks some insurance in the top of the eighth with an RBI single after Katel Marte tripled to open the frame. Nick Ahmed and Christian Walker would each add RBI singles in the ninth to provide the final tallies.

Keuchel improved to (2-1) with the win. Dereck Rodriguez (4-3) took the loss for San Francisco, but he was dazzling. He went seven innings, allowing just one run on five hits. He struck out 12, and walked just one.

In the finale, the DBacks hit five home runs, scoring eight runs in the eighth and ninth innings to pull away from the Giants 11-2. Robbie Ray worked six scoreless innings to pick up his fifth win on the season.

Alex Avila went yard twice, driving in six runs, with Adam Jones, Eduardo Escobar and Jake Lamb each adding home runs in the victory.

Jon Duplantier made his highly anticipated debut out of the bullpen. He worked two innings, allowing two solo home runs, but he did strike out three.

The DBacks now head to last place Colorado (21-32) for a four game series to end the ten-game road trip.

Dallas Keuchel had his best performance as a DBack in San Francisco.

[bigjdotcom01]

MAY 27-30: ARIZONA (28-29) @ COLORADO (23-34)

May 27: Rockies 13, DBacks 8
May 28: DBacks 11, Rockies 8
May 29: Rockies 8, DBacks 2
May 30: DBacks 7, Rockies 5

The DBacks and Rockies split a four-game series in a typical series at Coors Field with runs scored in bunches as the teams combined for 62 runs in the four game series.

The opener was a Coors Field slugfest as the Rockies outlasted the DBacks 13-7 as the teams combined to hit seven home runs. Charlie Blackmon went 3 for 5 and drove in four as the Rockies won their second straight game and snapped a two game DBacks winning streak.

Zack Godley was knocked around in this one, giving up seven runs in five innings of work. Jon Duplatier relieved him and was once again hit hard. He allowed six runs on six hits, including three Rockies home runs, in just three innings of work. He has an ERA of 14.40 in two appearances since being called up on Saturday.

Note: Duplatier was sent back to Triple-A Reno after the game and Matt Andriese was recalled.

Game two was another slugfest as the Diamondbacks pounded out 22 hits, but had to hold on late for an 11-8 victory. Arizona pounded out 13 doubles and 16 extra base hits in the win. The 13 doubles were one shy of a National League record set by the Chicago Cubs back in 1883!

Arizona (27-28) scored four in the first inning and built a 7-0 lead after three and a half innings, but the Rockies slowly chipped away. Trailing by six in the bottom of the ninth, the Rockies chased DBacks closer Andrew Chafin, roughing him up for three runs and they had the tying run at the plate before Greg Holland came in to close the door, getting Chris Iannetta to fly out to center to end it.

Blake Swihart went 5 for 5 with five doubles and three RBIs in the win. Jake Lamb (14) and Eduardo Escobar (14) each hit home runs. Escobar has homered in three straight games.

The story of Wednesday evening’s game was the DBacks poor defense as two big errors led to six unearned runs in an 8-2 Rockies win. Luke Weaver (0-4) got the spot start for Zack Greinke and wasn’t horrible, but only lasted 3 1/3 innings, allowing seven runs on seven hits, but just one of those runs was earned.

The DBacks offense, which has been red hot as of late, was cooled off by Kyle Freeman. He pitched eight strong innings, allowing the two DBacks runs on eight hits. The two runs came on solo home runs from Wilmer Flores and Eduardo Escobar.

Chris Iannetta had a big blow, hitting a three run home run in the third inning. Ramiel Tapia went 2 for 4 with a double and triple.

In the finale, the DBacks twice blew the lead, but in the end, scored twice in the ninth inning to pull out a hard earned 7-5 victory. Eduardo Escobar homered twice. He now has homered in five straight games and hit five home runs in the four game series in Denver. He also went 5 for 5 with two doubles and scored four runs.

Escobar is having an MVP type of season through the first two months. He is second in the National League in batting (.368), first in hits (78), first in doubles (29), third in home runs (17), third in RBIs (48), second in runs (39), first in slugging percentage (.774), and first in OPS (1.181).

Alex Avila homered twice as he went 3 for 5 with three runs batted in.

Yoshihia Hirano (3-3) blew a save in the eighth, allowing a solo home run to Nolan Arenado, to tie the ball game, but he earned the win. Greg Holland worked the ninth to earn his third save.

Manager Torey Lovullo said after the game that Holland would be the closer moving forward as Andrew Chafin has struggled lately in that role.

Arizona (28-29) now returns home as they will host the New York Mets (34-23) for a three game weekend series, followed by a three game set with the Dodgers (39-18).

Eduardo Escobar is looking like an MVP through the first two months of 2019.

[bigjdotcom01]

MAY 31 – JUNE 2: NEW YORK (35-25) @ ARIZONA (30-30)

May 31: DBacks 5, Mets 4
June 1: DBacks 5, Mets 1
June 2: Mets 6, DBacks 2

The DBacks took two of three from the National League East leading New York Mets at Chase Field in a weekend series. Robbie Ray and Zack Godley each left in the first inning of their starts with minor injuries, so the bullpen was taxed.

The DBacks won the opener 5-4, and made it interesting as the Mets scored three times in the top of the ninth, leaving the tying and go ahead runs on second and third to end the game. Archie Bradley picked up the save in relief of Andrew Chafin, whose struggles in 2019 continue.

Robbie Ray left the game with no outs in the first inning after taking a line drive off of his shin. He left the game as a precaution and went for x-rays. Matt Koch (1-3) came on and was brilliant, pitching five innings and allowing just one run on two hits.

Steven Souza Jr went 2 for 4 with a double and home run, getting the start in center field as Ketel Marte got the night off.

Eduardo Escobar, riding a five game home run streak, had the night off.

The DBacks took the second game of the series 5-1 on Saturday evening. Former Met Wilmer Flores went 2 for 4 with a double and home run to lead the DBacks to the victory.

Adam Jones and Christian Walker also homered for the DBacks in the victory. Eduardo Escobar’s five game home run streak ended on Saturday evening. He went 1 for 3 with a walk.

Zack Godley had to leave the game after recording just one out, as he suffered from tightness in his back. It doesn’t look to be serious, but an already taxed Arizona bullpen was forced to work 8 2/3 innings, one night after working nine innings.

The Mets would pull out the finale thanks to four home runs.

Steve Souza Jr homered in the second to put Arizona up 2-0. Brandon Nimmo would tie it up in the fourth with a two run bomb off of Taijuan Walker.

Pete Alonso hit a solo shot off of Taijuan Walker in the seventh to put the Mets ahead 3-2. Robinson Cano added a solo home run in the eighth.

The DBacks (30-30) will now host the first place Dodgers (41-19) for a three game series beginning on Monday evening.

Wilmer Flores went deep against his former club.

[bigjdotcom01]

MLB STANDINGS
(Through June 2)

[bigjdotcom01]

JUNE 3-5: LOS ANGELES (43-20) @ ARIZONA (31-32)

June 3: Dodgers 5, DBacks 2
June 4: Dodgers 11, DBacks 9
June 5: DBacks 13, Dodgers 5

The Los Angeles Dodgers strolled into Chase Field in first place with a comfortable lead in the National League West, and took two of three from the DBacks. Arizona managed to salvage the finale to end a six game losing streak to their rivals.

The Dodgers took the opener 5-3 behind a stellar pitching performance from Walker Buehler. He struck out 13 in six innings of work, allowing no runs and just four base hits.

Los Angeles would build a 5-0 lead thanks to a two-run home run from Austin Barnes, off of Zack Greinke, and an RBI triple from Valley native Cody Bellinger.

David Peralta hit a solo home run in the eighth and Alex Avila hit a two run shot in the ninth for the DBacks runs.

Ketel Marte saw his 14-game hit streak end as he went 0 for 3 with a hit-by-pitch.

Game two saw the DBacks bullpen implode once again. This time the Dodgers scored one in the eighth and five in the ninth to rally for an 11-9 victory. Justin Turner had a big night offensively for LA, going 2 for 5 with a home run and three RBIs.

Yoshihisa Hirano was saddled with the blown save and the loss, dropping him to (3-4). He lasted just one out in the bottom of the ninth, allowing three runs on three hits.

Arizona wasted a nice offensive performance as the club scored nine runs and pounded out 14 hits, including three home runs, in the loss.

In the finale, it was the Nick Ahmed show as the DBacks shortstop went 3 for 4 with two home runs and he drove in six runs in the DBacks 13-5 victory. The win was the DBacks first over Los Angeles this season, after losing their first six.

Robbie Ray (6-2) wasn’t outstanding, but got the job done in the win. He went 6+ innings, allowing five runs on seven hits. He struck out 10 and walked just one.

Julio Urias (2-6) was shelled, allowing seven runs on six hits in 1+ innings of work.

The bigger news in this one was that Eduardo Escobar left the game in the bottom of the first inning after getting hit by a pitch on his elbow. X-Rays showed a fracture in his arm that will likely keep him out of action 4-8 weeks. Escobar was the National League Player of the Month in June. He was second in the National League in batting average (.355), first in doubles (30), third in home runs (17), third in RBIs (49), first in slugging percentage (.737).

The DBacks (31-32) will now hit the road for a ten game road trip to Toronto, Philadelphia and Washington.

Walker Buehler dominated the DBacks, striking out 13 on Monday evening.

[bigjdotcom01]

2019 FIRST-YEAR PLAYER DRAFT

New York, NY (AP) – The Baltimore Orioles selected Bret Diaz, a 19-year-old pitcher from Iowa first overall in the 2019 First-Year Player Draft.

The DBacks went a pitcher with their first pick, 16th overall, selecting Denny Stokes, a 20-year-old right-hander out of Illinois. At 6’4”, 212 lbs, he projects as an above average to elite prospect.

Arizona went with Dominican Bruno Arias, a 6-foot, 185-lb third baseman in round two. The 19-year-old looks to be a nice prospect.

The DBacks had two second round compensatory picks, and added reliever Roger Powell, and starting pitcher Vince Baron. Baron has a live arm and nice potential.

Arizona rounded out the draft with pitcher Clyder Decker, center fielder Adolfo Ozuna, pitcher Jack Weldon, and pitcher Herb McMahon.

[bigjdotcom01]

JUNE 7-9: ARIZONA (33-33) @ TORONTO (21-44)

June 7: DBacks 2, Blue Jays 1
June 8: DBacks 7, Blue Jays 1
June 9: Blue Jays 7, DBacks 3

Arizona took two of three from the last place Blue Jays in Toronto over the weekend to open a ten game road trip. The surprise was Zack Greinke losing in the finale.

The DBacks grabbed the opener of their ten-game road trip as they slipped past the Blue Jays 2-1 t Rogers Centre in Toronto. Taijuan Walker (5-2) picked up the win with a strong effort. He went 6 2/3, allowing the one run on seven hits. He struck out five and walked just one.

Archie Bradley worked a perfect ninth to earn his second save on the season.

Arizona would take the lead on a Jake Lamb solo home run in the second inning. It was his 17th on the season. Alex Avila then hit an RBI double in the seventh with the go ahead run.

Toronto’s lone run came on a Randal Grichuk solo shot in the fourth.

Former DBack Clay Buchholz took the loss for Toronto. He went 6 1/3 innings, allowing the two runs on six hits.

Zack Godley was masterful in Saturday afternoon’s 7-1 victory. He struck out 13 in seven innings of work, only allowing a lead off home run in the eighth to Lourdes Gurriel Jr. He allowed just two hits in picking up his fifth victory on the season.

Arizona used a five run seventh to blow open a close game. Wilmer Flores had the big blow with a two-run single with the bases loaded.

Jared Dyson made his return to the lineup after missing almost 60 games with a broken arm. He went 0 for 3 with a walk, but stole three bases. Blake Swihart went 3 for 5 with two doubles and two RBIs.

In the finale, the Jays put up four runs on Zack Greinke in the fifth inning, then made it stick as they salvaged the final game 7-3. Billy McKinney hit a huge three-run shot off of Silvo Brancho in the bottom of the eighth inning to add some insurance.

Sam Gaviglio (2-6) won just his second game on the year, pitching six innings and allowing three runs on eight hits. The Jays bullpen allowed just one hit over the final three innings to preserve the victory, snapping a six game losing streak.

Jake Lamb homered for Arizona, his 18th on the season.

Zack Greinke (6-4) lasted just five innings, throwing 99 pitches. He allowed four runs, but none of them were earned thanks to a huge Christian Walker error.

Arizona (33-33) now heads to Philadelphia for a matchup with the first-place Phillies (39-26).

Arizona took two of three from the Jays at beautiful Rogers Centre in downtown Toronto.