Los DBacks - An MLB 20 Franchise Presented by BigJDotCom

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Re: Los DBacks - An MLB 20 Franchise Presented by BigJDotCom

APR 30 – May 3: CHICAGO (24-11) @ ARIZONA (13-21)

April 30: DBacks 3, Cubs 2 (10)
May 1: Cubs 5, DBacks 0
May 2: Cubs 6, DBacks 5
May 3: Cubs 5, DBacks 3

The slumping DBacks dropped 3 of 4 to the first place Cubs to close the home stand.

In the opener, the DBacks walked it off on a wild pitch as Ketel Marte scored from third on a wild pitch from Cubs reliever Jeremy Jeffress in a 3-2 victory in extra innings. David Peralta had a night, going 3 for 5 with a single, double, triple and two RBIs.

Peralta tripled home Ketel Marte in the third inning to tie the game at 1-1. Peralta ripped an RBI double in the fifth inning, scoring Madison Bumgarner to give Arizona the lead.

Kris Bryant tied it up in the sixth, hitting a towering home run to left center off of Mad Bum. It was his eighth on the season.

Archie Bradley (2-2) picked up the win, pitching a scoreless tenth. Madison Bumgarner had another quality start, pitching seven solid innings and allowing two runs on six hits. He struck out eight and did not issue a walk.

On Friday evening, the listless DBacks were shutout by Yu Darvish and the Cubs 5-0. Darvish (5-1) tossed eight shutout innings, scattering eight hits and walking four batters as the DBacks left 11 men on base.

The Cubs would get all the offense that they would need in the first inning as Kris Bryant tripled to open the game and scored on an Anthony Rizzo groundout. Anthony Rizzo hit a two-run home run off of Mike Leake in the third. Ian Happ added a solo home run in the fourth and Kris Bryant hit a bomb in the fifth to make it 5-0.

Arizona had traffic on the bases all game but could not come through with men in scoring position, going 0 for 8. Really the story of this team in 2020, they cannot get a clutch hit. This team falls behind by more than a run and it seems like an impossible hill to climb to recover.

Notes: The DBacks optioned catcher Stephen Vogt to Triple-A Reno after the game and recalled C Daulton Varsho.

Saturday evening was another typical MLB the Show 20 disaster for the DBacks. They blew a 5-1 lead and then lost it as puss hitting Daniel Descalso ran into a Yoan Lopez fastball in the ninth, hitting a ball into the pool to give the Cubs the improbable victory.

Arizona scored five times in the fourth inning off of Jon Lester and looked to be in complete control of this game with Luke Weaver tossing a gem on the mound. But as we have seen time and time again in this game, if you make a mistake, the CPU will hit home runs. If the CPU makes a mistake, you hit line drive outs. The Cubs got a huge three-run home run from Kyle Schwarber in the fifth to tie the game at 5-5. The homer was on the 13th pitch of the at bat as Schwarber fouled off 11 straight pitches.

With a chance to win it in the ninth, Cubs closer Rowan Wick went to 3-0 on Kevin Cron with a runner on first. Wick grooved one down the middle that Cron had perfect contact on, only to fly out on the warning track. Another shocking result in MLB the Show 20…..Cron had been 2 for 3 with two hard hits doubles in the game prior to that at bat in the ninth.

The DBacks bullpen was strong as Junior Guerra and Lopez completely shut the Cubs down, allowing just one hit, the home run from Descalso in the ninth.

The DBacks disaster of a season continues on Sunday afternoon as they close out the home stand with Zac Gallen (3-1, 1.60) on the bump as they try and salvage the finale before they head out on the road.

The finale was more of the same as the DBacks gave up a late home run to lose 5-3. The Cubs came through with clutch hits, while the DBacks were completely useless with runners in scoring position. Jason Kipnis hit a two run home run off of reliever Merrill Kelly in the eighth inning to send the Cubs to the series win.

IT was just another loss in a line of brutal losses for this DBacks team in 2020. It is incredible how much traffic this team gets in the base paths, then magically, they cannot buy a hit. Line drive, after line drive, after perfect swing and they all result in outs with runners in scoring position, while their opponents come through with bloop hits for RBIs from the pitchers and clutch home runs seemingly at will.

The DBacks (13-21) will now head out on the road to face Washington (19-14) and Milwaukee (13-21).

Kris Bryant and the first place Cubs had their way with the DBacks.

[dynastymaker]

Re: Los DBacks - An MLB 20 Franchise Presented by BigJDotCom

Much bigger fan of these threads where you aren't projected to finish 148-14.

Keep it up!

[bigjdotcom01]

Re: Los DBacks - An MLB 20 Franchise Presented by BigJDotCom

MLB STANDINGS
(Through May 3)



AMERICAN LEAGUE LEADERS:
BATTING AVERAGE: Daniel Vogelbach (Seattle) .352
HOME RUNS: Carlos Santana (Cleveland) 16
RBI: Carlos Santana (Cleveland) 45
STOLEN BASES: Mallex Smith (Seattle) 16
SLUGGING PERCENTAGE: Anthony Rendon (Los Angeles) .752
OPS: Anthony Rendon (Los Angeles) 1.180
WINS: Garrit Cole (New York) 5
SAVES: Ken Giles (Toronto) 13
ERA: Alex Cobb (Baltimore) 1.25
STRIKEOUTS: Garrit Cole (New York) 63



NATIONAL LEAGUE LEADERS:
BATTING AVERAGE: Dexter Fowler (St Louis) .353
HOME RUNS: Freddie Freeman (Atlanta) 15
RBI: Michael Conforto (New York) 36
STOLEN BASES: Jonathan Villar (Miami) 12
SLUGGING PERCENTAGE: Michael Conforto (New York) .742
OPS: Michael Conforto (New York) 1.164
WINS: John Gray (Colorado) 7
SAVES: Hector Neris (Philadelphia) 13
ERA: Clayton Kershaw (Los Angeles) 1.44
STRIKEOUTS: Patrick Corbin (Washington) 68

[bigjdotcom01]

Re: Los DBacks - An MLB 20 Franchise Presented by BigJDotCom

May 5-7: ARIZONA (13-24) @ WASHINGTON (22-14)

May 5: Nationals 2, DBacks 1 (14)
May 6: Nationals 5, DBacks 4
May 7: Nationals 5, DBacks 2

The DBacks ran their losing streak to a season high six games as they were swept by the Washington Nationals in a midweek series at National’s Park.

Once again, the DBacks could not find a way to come through with a clutch hit, on multiple occasions, on Tuesday evening as they dropped the opener of a three game series in our Nation’s capital 2-1 in fourteen innings. Yan Gomes put an end to this one in the fourteenth inning as he hit a sacrifice fly to right off of Stefan Crichton to plate Victor Robles with the game winning run.

Arizona took the lead all the way back in the second inning as Tim Locastro singled home Eduardo Escobar. Locastro went 4 for 5 on the evening with a triple and drove in the DBacks only run. Eduardo Escobar went 3 for 6 with a double as those two combined to go 7 for 11 while the rest of the DBacks went 2 for 37 with 20 strikeouts. Christian Walker went 0 for 6 with five strikeouts, and Kole Calhoun picked up the golden sombrero as he went 0 for 4.

The Nats would tie the game up in the fifth inning as Trea Turner was able to hit one to dead center off of Jon Duplantier. IT was Turner’s third on the season.

The DBacks left a runner at third in the 7th, 11th and 12th innings as they dropped their fourth straight game to fall a season high nine games under .500.

In the fourteenth, Victor Robles led off with a single off of the glove of Christian Walker. After getting Starling Castro to strike out, pinch hitter Asdrubal Cabrera singled through the right side with Robles advancing to third. Yan Gomes then hit a deep fly ball to right, that Robles was easily able to tag and score on to win it.

DBacks relievers pitched seven straight scoreless and hitless innings after starter Jon Duplantier left after six innings. Stefan Crichton (0-3) took the loss.

On Wednesday evening, the best defensive team in the National League felt apart, committing three errors late in the game to allow the Nationals to escape with a 5-4 victory to extend the DBacks slide to five games.

In the seventh innings, normally reliable shortstop Nick Ahmed made two errors to help load the bases with no outs. Hector Rondon came on in relief of Madison Bumgarner and got Trea Turner to bounce into a 5-2-3 double play. Ryan Zimmerman then hit one to third and it looked like the DBacks would escape, but Eduardo Escobar whiffed ion it, allowing two runs to score and putting the Nats up 4-2.

Starlin Castro would add a huge RBI single off of Yoan Lopez in the eighth to put the Nationals up 5-2. That would be a huge run because in the ninth, Christian Walker hit a two-run home run off of Sean Doolittle to cut it to 5-4. It was Walker’s team leading ninth home run on the season.

David Peralta hit two solo home runs in the game as Arizona hit three home runs, yet managed just four runs as this team continues to find ways to lose in 2020.

In Thursday afternoon’s finale, former DBack Max Scherzer shut down the DBacks offense in a 5-2 victory for the Nats. Trea Turner was the catalyst on offense, going 3 for 4 with two doubles and he scored three runs in the victory.

The Nationals jumped on Mike Leake early as Trea Turner doubled and score on an Eric Thames single in the first inning. Thames then hit a two-run home run off of Leake in the third to make it 3-0.

Ketel Marte got one back in the fourth with a solo home run to right. It was his sixth on the campaign. Christian Walker led off the seventh with a solo home run to left off of Scherzer to cut the Nats lead to 3-2. It was Walker’s tenth on the year.

But the Nats got to the DBacks bullpen again, scoring single runs in the seventh and eight to give closer Sean Doolittle a nice three run cushion to work with. He worked the ninth to pick up his fourth save. Max Scherzer (4-3) picked up the win, working six plus innings and allowing two runs on five hits while striking out six.

Mike Leake (2-3) took the loss, working six innings and allowing three run son eight hits. He struck out six and did not issue a walk. Junior Guerra pitched the last two innings, allowing two runs on three hits.

Last place Arizona (13-24) now heads to Milwaukee for a weekend series with the Brewers (16-22). Arizona now has the worst record in baseball in what is setting up to be a very long 2020 season.

Trea Turner and the Nats slid past the DBacks in Washington.

[bigjdotcom01]

Re: Los DBacks - An MLB 20 Franchise Presented by BigJDotCom

May 8-10: ARIZONA (16-24) @ MILWAUKEE (16-25)

May 8: DBacks 8, Brewers 4
May 9: DBacks 3, Brewers 0
May 10: DBacks 5, Brewers 3 (10)

The Arizona Diamondbacks picked up a much needed sweep of the Brewers in Milwaukee this weekend.

The DBacks broke a six game losing streak on Friday night as they broke out the bats for the first time in awhile, defeating the Brewers 8-4. Luke Weaver pitched seven strong innings, allowing just one run, and also went 2 for 3 at the plate with a solo home run to help his cause.

Arizona broke this one open with a six run second inning. Eduardo Escobar homered to open the inning, then it was a parade of singles and doubles as the DBacks finally got the bats going in what has been a struggle all season. They entered Friday evening’s game dead last in runs and on base percentage in the Majors.

Meanwhile on the mound, Luke Weaver (3-2) carved through this Brewers team, pitching seven innings and allowing just one run on six hits. Hector Rondon got knocked around a bit out of the bullpen, surrendering two home runs in the top of the ninth, but the DBacks were able to hold on for the victory, ending that six game skid.

Zac Gallen pitched a gem on Saturday evening as the DBacks shut out the Brewers 3-0. Gallen pitched seven shut out innings, allowing just four hits while striking out four.

Carson Kelly’s RBI double in the third would be all the runs that the DBacks would need in this one. They would add a couple of huge insurance runs in the ninth on a Kevin Cron RBI single and a John Jay RBI single.

Yoan Lopez did a masterful job out of the bullpen in the eighth. He came on after Gallen gave up a leadoff double. He walked Justin Smoak, and gave up a bloop single to Luis Urias to load the bases. He would get Ben Gamel to pop out to Eduardo Escobar. Can then bounced to third and reached on a fielder’s choice as Narvaez was out on the force play at home. Eric Sogard then struck out looking to end the threat.

Ketel Marte and Carson Kelly both went 3 for 4 in the game. David Peralta’s 11 game hitting streak came to an end as he went 0 for 4.

Brent Anderson (2-5) was the tough luck loser for Milwaukee. He pitched six innings, scattering seven hits and allowing the one run.

The finale was a pitchers duel as both starters were great, but the DBacks pulled out a 5-3 victory in extra innings as both bullpens did not live up to expectations. Nick Ahmed’s RBI single in the tenth score Starling Marte with the go ahead run as the DBacks swept the Brewers.

Eduardo Escobar got the DBacks on the board in the first inning, lining a two-out single to center to score Ketel Marte.

The Brewers tied it up in the second on a Garcia home run to left, off of Jon Duplantier. Duplantier was masterful in this one, going 6 2/3 innings and allowing the one run on three hits. He struck out five and walked two.

Arizona took the lead in the eighth on a Ketel Marte RBI single, driving home Starling Marte. Eric Sogard would tie the game up in the bottom half off of Andrew Chafin.

The DBacks retook the lead in the ninth as Kevin Cron grounded out to shortstop with the bases loaded, allowing Eduardo Escobar to score to put the DBacks up 3-2.

But the Brewers would tie it in the bottom half off of Junior Guerra, who had to come in for an injured Archie Bradley. Justin Smoak hit a sacrifice fly to allow Ryan Braun to score to tie the game at 3-3.

In the tenth, Ildemaro Vargas lined a single to right to score Starling Marte with the go ahead run. Carson Kelly then added a sacrifice fly for a big insurance run.

Junior Guerra was able to set down the Brewers in order to pick up his first save as the DBacks ran their winning streak to three games.

Arizona now returns home for a seven game home stand against the Mets (15-25) and Nationals (23-16)
.

Luke Weaver went deep in Friday night’s opener.

[bigjdotcom01]

Re: Los DBacks - An MLB 20 Franchise Presented by BigJDotCom

May 11-13: NEW YORK (16-27) @ ARIZONA (18-25)

May 11: Mets 6, DBacks 4
May 12: DBacks 5, Mets 0
May 13: DBacks 8, Mets 2

The DBacks dropped the opener, but managed to take two of three from the slumping Mets at Chase Field to open the home stand.

The Mets rallied late in the opener to grab a 6-4 victory and snap a four game losing streak. Michael Conforto went deep and also doubled, scoring two runs to help lead the Mets to the win.

Wilson Ramos hit a two-out, two-run single in the second to give the Mets the early lead. The DBacks would score single runs in the second and third to tie it up.

Michael Conforto homered in the fifth off of emergency starter Merrill Kelly to put the Mets back in front 3-2. A Tim Locastro RBI double in the bottom half tied it back up at 3-3.

Christian Walker hit a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth to give Arizona their first lead of the game at 4-3.

The Mets responded with three runs in the eighth off of reliever Kevin Ginkel. Pete Alonso doubled home Michael Conforto to tie the game. Jeff McNeil then doubled home Alonso to put the Mets up, and Dominic Smith’s two-out RBI single made it 6-4.

Dellin Betances worked a the ninth to pick up his fifth save.

The DBacks rebounded on Tuesday evening, shutting out the Mets 5-0. Madison Bumgarner came on in relief of an injured Mike Leake in the first inning and picked up the win.

Bumgarner (2-4) worked 5 1/3 innings out of the bullpen after missing yesterday’s start with a stomach bug. He allowed only three hits and struck out seven without issuing a walk.

Carson Kelly and Ildemaro Vargas chipped in with RBI doubles while Tim Locastro and David Peralta each went 3 for 5 in the victory. It was Arizona’s fourth win in five starts after a season high six game losing streak.

In the finale, the DBacks scored six late runs to put away from the Mets 8-2. Starling Marte went 3 for 4 with a double, triple, home run and he drove in three runs in the big DBacks win.

Arizona fell behind early on a Dominic Smith home run in the second off of Merrill Kelly, but the DBacks responded with three extra base hits in the bottom of the second to take the lead. Eduardo Escobar doubled, followed by Starling Marte and Daulton Varsho RBI triples to give Arizona the lead, 2-1.

The Mets would tie it in the fifth on a Brandon Nimmo RBI double.

Christian Walker would come through with a big two out, RBI single in the sixth after Eduardo Escobar singled and stole second, to put Arizona back in front 3-2. Starling Marte then homered to left-center in the seventh, and the DBacks would pile on with four in the eighth, all coming with two outs.

The win was Arizona’s fifth in their last six. They now host the Nationals (26-16) for a four game weekend series. The Nats lead the National League East.

Starling Marte and the DBacks are finally starting to heat up.

[bigjdotcom01]

Re: Los DBacks - An MLB 20 Franchise Presented by BigJDotCom

May 14-17: WASHINGTON (26-20) @ ARIZONA (22-25)

May 14: DBacks 3, Nationals 0
May 15: DBacks 6, Nationals 4
May 16: DBacks 4, Nationals 3
May 17: DBacks 6, Nationals 4

The DBacks appear to have turned their season around in the last week and a half as they ran their winning streak to six games with a four game sweep of the National League East leading Washington Nationals. They are now 9-1 in their last ten games.

Zac Gallen was once again magnificent on Thursday evening at Chase Field as the DBacks shut out the red hot Washington Nationals 3-0 in the opener of their four game weekend series.

Gallen (5-1) pitched seven shutout innings, allowing just two hits while striking out eight and walking only one. He lowered his ERA to a miniscule 1.52. Hector Rondon and Archie Bradley worked the final two innings. Bradley turned the ninth inning into an adventure, walking one and giving up a single. But he managed to get the final two out and secure his eighth save on the season.

The Nationals pitching staff was very good also. Former DBack Patrick Corbin got the start, but had to leave in the second with tightness in his throwing elbow. Joe Ross came on and threw 3 2/3 shutout innings as this game was scoreless heading into the bottom of the seventh inning.

Eduardo Escobar drew a one-out walk off of Javy Guerra. Christian Walker then flew out to the warning track in left. Nick Ahmed lined a single to left and Ketel Marte, batting down in the seventh spot, crushed a hanging slider into the right field sets to put Arizona up 3-0.

The win was the DBacks sixth in their last seven games.

On Friday evening the DBacks used a full bullpen effort and some timely hitting to edge the Nationals 6-4. Tim Locastro went 3 for 4 with a double and two runs to help the DBacks win a season high fourth straight.

Starter Jon Duplantier had to leave the ballgame after facing just one batter. He said that he felt something pop in his throwing arm and had to leave the game. The DBacks then used five other pitchers to secure the win. Yoan Lopez (1-2) earned the win, but also picked up a blown save, allowing a run on three hits in the seventh. Archie Bradley secured his ninth save, but again it was a wild one. He gave up two hits and had to get the final two outs with the go ahead run at the plate.

Trea Turner tied the game up in the top of the seventh off of Yoan Lopez as he singled home Yan Gomes. But the DBacks would respond in the bottom half with an unearned run to retake the lead for good. Tim Locastro reached second on a throwing error. Christian Walker then lined a single to right to drive him home with the go ahead run.

Notes: David Peralta missed the game on Friday after leaving Thursday evenings game after diving for a ball in left. He is listed as day-to-day. Jon Duplantier was taken for x-rays but they were negative. His status for his next start is up in the air.

On Saturday evening, the DBacks overcame a rough first inning to run their winning streak to five games with a 4-3 victory over the Nationals. Nick Ahmed went 2 for 3 with a home run and he drove in two to help key the suddenly red-hot DBacks.

Madison Bumgarner (3-4) gave up three runs in the first inning on four hits, then settled in to pitch six innings, allowing just those three runs on nine total hits. He struck out five and walked one. Hector Rondon worked 2 1/3 scoreless hitless innings of work in relief. Andrew Chafin came on with one out in the ninth and gave up back-to-back singled before getting Starling Castro to bounce into a game-ending 4-6-3 double play, to pick up his first save on the season.

Kole Calhoun homered in the second inning. The two-run shot was his seventh on the season. He has quietly been a solid addition to this DBacks lineup.

In the finale, the DBacks shook off another slow start and rallied for a 6-4 victory to sweep the Nationals at Chase Field to end the home stand 6-1. Nick Ahmed went deep again, going 2 for 4 with a double and three-run home run to help pace the DBacks.

Washington looked like they had the answers in this one early on as they knocked around Corbin Martin, making his 2020 debut after getting recalled from Triple-A Reno earlier in the week. The Nats hit solo home runs by Juan Soto and Carter Kieboom in the first and second inning to take a 2-0 lead.

Eduardo Escobar put Arizona on the board in the bottom of the second, homering off of Max Scherzer. But the Nats touched Martin for two more in the third and seemed poised to bloe this one open as they had the bases loaded with none out, leading 4-1. But Corbin Martin settled down and Suzuki to pop out, then struck out Victor Robles and Carter Kieboom to end the threat and keep the DBacks within arms length.

Nick Ahmed then promptly tied the game in the bottom of the third, hitting a three run home run to left off of Scherzer.

Arizona would take the lead in the fifth on a Ketel Marte solo home run. It was his eighth on the season and spelled the end for Scherzer in this one. The DBacks would add a big insurance run in the bottom of the eighth as Christian Walker singled home Nick Ahmed.

That setup Archie Bradley to close it out in the ninth to earn his 10th save.

Corbin Martin (1-0) got the win. He was spectacular at times, striking out seven in six innings, but he allowed four runs on 10 hits. Yoan Lopez, Kevin Ginkel and Archie Bradley worked the final three innings, allowing just one hit.

Arizona (22-25) now hits the road for a nine game road trip beginning Tuesday in New York (18-28), then continuing onto St. Louis (26-21) and San Diego (19-28).

The suddenly red-hot DBacks are now 9-1 in their last 10.

[bigjdotcom01]

Re: Los DBacks - An MLB 20 Franchise Presented by BigJDotCom

May 19-21: ARIZONA (25-25) @ NEW YORK (18-32)

May 19: DBacks 6. Mets 1
May 20: DBacks 7, Mets 4
May 21: DBacks 9, Mets 4

The Arizona Diamondbacks swept the Mets to open the road trip as they ran their winning streak to nine games, the second longest in the Majors in 2020 (Kansas City won 11 straight).

The DBacks had an easy time in the opener, defeating the Mets 6-1 to run their winning streak to seven games. Kole Calhoun continued his hot streak, going 2 for 4 with a home run and three RBIs in the victory.

Luke Weaver (4-2) labored a bit in this one, but picked up the win, throwing 92 pitches in five innings of work. He allowed one run on just two hits, while striking out five and walking two.

Kole Calhoun got the DBacks offense rolling with a two run home run in the second inning.

Wilson Ramos hit a sacrifice fly to center with the bases loaded for the Mets lone run in the second inning to cut the lead to 2-1.

In the third Cole Calhoun singled home David Peralta, and Kevin Cron grounded out to second, allowing Eduardo Escobar to score to make it 4-1. The DBacks would add two in the sixth on an Ildemaro Vargas pinch hit RBI single and a Ketel Marte RBI double.

Hector Rondon pitched three solid innings of relief out of the bullpen, with Kevin Crichton working a scoreless ninth.

Rick Porcello (2-6) took the loss for New York. He went five innings, allowing four runs on eight hits.

The DBacks ran their winning streak to eight games on Wednesday evening as they outscored the Mets 7-4. David Peralta went 2 for 4 with a double, home run and three RBIs in the victory.

Arizona jumped on Michael Wacha right from the start. David Peralta hit a two-run bomb in the first inning to immediately put Wacha on his heals. They would add two more in the second inning on a Carson Kelly RBI double and Zac Gallen RBI single to make it 4-1.

Christian Walker hit a solo home run to left in the sixth. It was his 12th on the season and gave Arizona a 5-2 lead.

Robinson Cano hit a two-run home run off of a tired Zac Gallen in the bottom of the seventh to cut the lead to 5-4. But the DBacks bullpen shut down the Mets the rest of the way with Yoan Lopez, Andrew Chafin and Archie Bradley getting the final nine outs to keep the winning streak in tact.

The DBacks would add a couple of late insurance runs on a David Peralta RBI double, and Eduardo Escobar RBI single. Ketel Marte went 1 for 4 with a double in the eighth inning to extend his hitting streak to 11 games.

Zac Gallen improved to (6-1), working six innings and allowing four run son five hits. He struck out four, but walked three.

The DBacks cruised to a 9-4 victory in the finale, pounding out 14 hits as they remain red hot. Christian Walker went 2 for 5 with a double, home run and four RBIs in the win.

Jon Duplantier (1-1) picked up the win, but he wasn’t sharp. He pitched six innings, allowing four runs on nine hits. He struck out two and walked two.

The story was the DBacks offense as they scored nine and outscored the last place Mets 22-9 in the sweep. Starling Marte went 3 for 5 with a double and two stolen bases. Tim Locastro hit his first home run on the season.

Arizona got back to .500 for the first time since March 31 when they were (3-3).

They now head to St. Louis for a weekend series with the Cardinals (27-24) who have lost five of six.

Christian Walker is having a nice season for the DBacks.

[bigjdotcom01]

Re: Los DBacks - An MLB 20 Franchise Presented by BigJDotCom

May 22-24: ARIZONA (26-27) @ ST LOUIS (29-25)

May 22: Cardinals 2, DBacks 1
May 23: Cardinals 3, DBacks 2
May 24: DBacks 11, Cardinals 7 (10)

The DBacks dropped two of three in St Louis in a really fun weekend series. The Cards won the first two in their final at bat and the DBacks salvaged the finale in their final at bat.

The Cardinals pushed a run across in the bottom of the eighth on Friday night to pull out a 2-1 victory over the Diamondbacks and put an end to their nine game winning streak. Kolton Wong’s RBI single off of Junior Guerra allowed Matt Carpenter to score the go ahead run, sending the Cardinals to the victory.

This was a pitching duel with Kwang Hyun Kim getting the win for St Louis out of the bullpen. He pitched the seven and eighth, allowing only one hit, a triple to Ketel Marte that he left stranded at third.

Madison Bumgarner (3-5) was the hard luck loser in this one, pitching 7 1/3 innings, and allowing two runs on six hits.

Former DBacks Paul Goldschmidt m=homered off of Bumgarner in the first inning, it was his 16th on the season.

The DBacks lone run came in the third on a Kole Calhoun RBI single, driving in Tim Locastro. The DBacks had four stolen bases in the loss with Starling Marte stealing two more to run his season total to 16.

On Saturday afternoon, the Cardinals hit back-to-back home runs in the bottom of the ninth off of closer Archie Bradley to walk it off in a stunning 3-2 Cardinals victory. Matt Carpenter hit a two-out, two-strike home run just inside the right field foul pole to tie the game. Then Dexter Fowler hit another two-strike home run into the bullpen to end it and send the Busch Stadium crowd into a frenzy.

Corbin Martin was excellent in this one for Arizona, going 6 1/3 innings and allowing one run on four hits. He struck out five and did not walk a batter. But the Cardinals held the DBacks offense in check and they pulled it out in the end.

Ketel Marte led off the game with a home run to put the DBacks up 1-0. After the Cards tied it in the fourth, Nick Ahmed slipped a grounder through the right side of the infield in the eighth to score Kevin Cron to give Arizona a 2-1 lead.

The Cardinals three runs all came on solo home runs. Paul DeJong had the other as he homered off of Martin in the fourth.

The finale was a wild one as Arizona blew a 7-0 lead, but managed to score four runs in the tenth to pull out an 11-7 victory. Ketel Marte went 2 for 5 with a home run and two RBIs to pace the offense in the finale.

Arizona built a 7-0 lead in the second inning and it looked like they would cruise in this one. Luke Weaver even went six innings, allowing only two runs, but the DBacks bullpen and Archie Bradley imploded again. Paul Goldschmidt hit a three-run home run off of Junior Guerra to cut the lead to 7-5 in the seventh.

In the ninth, Bradley walked Kolton Wong, then got Harrison Bader to whiff. Paul Goldschmidt then walked and was substituted with Matt Carpenter. A passed ball moved the runners up, and Paul DeJong then lined a two run single to right to tie the ball game. Andrew Chafin cam eon to record the final two outs.

In the tenth, Eduardo Escobar singled home Tim Locastro, who had singled and stole second, to give Arizona the lead. Christian Walker would hit a pinch-hit, two-run home run to put the DBacks up by three. Starling Marte would single home Kevin Cron to make it 11-7. Yoan Lopez came on to get the final three outs in a non-save appearance.

Daulton Varsho hit a two-run home run in the second inning. It was his first Major League home run.


The DBacks have Monday off as they travel to San Diego to take on the Padres (22-31) in a three game series to end the nine game road trip.

Notes: Rumors are flying that the Twins are looking to move 39-year-old Nelson Cruz and the DBacks are a team that keeps getting brought up. Not sure what the Twins would want back but it looks like more of a salary dump so the Twins may need to give up a prospect too for a team to take on that salary ($14.3M in 2020).

Dexter Fowler and the Cardinals walked it off on Saturday afternoon.

[bigjdotcom01]

Re: Los DBacks - An MLB 20 Franchise Presented by BigJDotCom

May 26-28: ARIZONA (29-27) @ SAN DIEGO (22-33)

May 26: DBacks 3, Padres 2 (11)
May 27: DBacks 8, Padres 6 (10)
May 28: DBacks 6, Padres 3 (12)

The Diamondbacks swept the Padres in San Diego to end the road trip, winning all three games in extra innings.

The DBacks took the opener 3-2 in eleven innings as Kole Calhoun hit a solo home run to open the eleventh to win it. Archie Bradley blew his third consecutive save opportunity, giving up a two-out, two-run home run to Manny Machado in the bottom of the ninth as the Padres tied the game,

This one was a pitchers duel with Zac Gallen just dominating for Arizona. He threw seven shut out innings, allowing only two hits while striking out seven and walking none. He lowered his ERA to 1.76.

Ketel Marte extended his hitting streak to 15 game with a single in the sixth inning, but he left the game holding his hamstring. He will be evaluated in the morning but he will likely miss some time. The DBacks are already missing David Peralta and Jake Lamb.

Arizona broke a scoreless tie in the top of the ninth as Christian Walker tripled and scored on a Tim Locastro infield single. Locastro stole second and scored on a Starling Marte single to make it 2-0.

Yoan Lopez worked a perfect bottom of the eleventh to earn his first save.

Notes: Ketel Marte’s injury was a mild hamstring pull that will keep him out about two weeks. The DBacks placed him on the 10-day Injured List after the game and recalled Josh Rojas from Triple-A Reno where he was hitting .288 with four home runs and 14 RBIs in 132 At-Bats.

Starting Pitcher Mike Leake was activated from the Inured List and Corbin Martin was sent back to Triple-A Reno

Wednesday evening was another wild one as the DBacks scored four times in the top of the tenth, then held on for an 8-6 victory. David Peralta went 3 for 6 with two doubles, a home run, an RBI and three runs scored in the win.

Arizona’s bullpen is officially a problem. The DBacks blew a 4-0 lead in the seventh inning with Yoan Lopez giving up the game tying RBI double to Kiki Hernandez with two-outs in the bottom of the ninth inning. The DBacks bullpen pitched 3 1/3 innings, allowing four runs on five hits as they blew another save opportunity.

Starter Jon Duplantier cruised through the first six innings, not allowing a run. But he gave up back-to-back home runs to Manny Machado and Francisco Mejia that ended his night in the seventh.

In the tenth, Christian Walker doubled to open the inning, and advanced to third on a ground out. He would score on a Carson Kelly sacrifice fly. Starling Marte then doubled off the wall in left and pinch hitter Tim Locastro hit a two-run home run to left to make it 7-4. David Peralta would double and score on a Nick Ahmed triple to put the DBacks up by four.

Kevin Ginkel came on to close as Archie Bradley sat in the bullpen. Ginkel would allow a two-run home run to Fernando Tatis Jr, but it did not hurt him as he was able to wiggle out of it and secure the victory.

This was Arizona’s third straight extra inning victory.

In the finale, not surprisingly, the DBacks blew a 3-0 lead, yet managed to pull out another game in extra innings, winning 6-3 in 12 innings. This time is wasn’t the bullpen to blame though, as they pitched five shutout innings with Junior Guerra picking up the win and Archie Bradley finally completing a save.

Arizona was led by Eduardo Escobar, who went 3 for 6 with two doubles, a home run and three RBIs in the victory. Manny Machado homered in the game for San Diego and he homered in each game of the series. He leads the Padres with 17 home runs on the season.

The Diamondbacks are now (16-3) since starting the season (13-24) as they finish this road trip (7-2) and now sit just 4 ½ games out of first in the National League West. They will return home for a nine game home stand against Detroit (24-32), Colorado (33-22) and San Diego (22-35) beginning tomorrow evening.

Eduardo Escobar and the DBacks are surging.

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May 29-31: DETROIT (25-34) @ ARIZONA (31-28)

May 29: DBacks 6, Tigers 2
May 30: DBacks 5, Tigers 2
May 31: Tigers 5, DBacks 2

The red-hot DBacks took two of three from the last place Tigers at Chase Field in a weekend series to open the home stand.

The DBacks took the opener over the Tigers 6-2 behind a complete game from Mike Leake. Leake scattered 11 hits and struck out two, while walking one as he improved to (3-3).

Kevin Cron and Carson Kelly each homered for Arizona. It was Cron’s first and Kelly’s sixth, but first in May. Mike Leake also went 2 for 2 with two RBIs to help his cause. He also walked twice.

Matthew Boyd (3-6) took the loss for Detroit. He gave up all six run son seven hits in just four innings of work.

The win was Arizona’s fifth straight.

The DBacks extended their winning streak to six games on Saturday evening with a 5-2 victory over the Tigers. Luke Weaver was solid, going seven innings and allowing just two runs on five hits. He struck out five and walked one.

The DBacks grabbed an early lead in this one in the second inning as Kevin Cron hit a two-run home run. It was his second on the season, and second in two nights.

The Tigers would get those two back in the top of the third. Jeimer Candelario singled home Austin Romine, and C.J. Cron hit a sacrifice fly to center to score Cameron Maybin to tie the game at 2-2.

In the fifth, Tim Locastro broke the tie with a two-run triple off the wall in dead center. He would score on a Christian Walker RBI single to make it 5-2.

The DBacks won despite four errors in the game including three from Kevin Cron, who filled in at third base for Eduardo Escobar, who got a rest day.

Archie Bradley worked the ninth, allowing a single, but then striking out the side, all looking, to earn his 13th save on the season. With the win, the DBacks have now moved into a tie for third in the National League West with the San Francisco Giants and they are now just 4 ½ games out of first in the West.

In the finale, the Tigers were able to pull one out, 5-2. Jacoby Jones hit a huge two-run home run off of Zac Gallen in the top of the sixth to move the Tigers in front for good. Jonathan Schoop went 3 for 4 with a double and a ninth-inning home run to help the Tigers salvage the finale.

David Peralta hit two solo home runs in the game for Arizona’s lone offense. He homered to lead off the bottom of the first, and hit his second to open the sixth. His second home run travelled an estimated 452 feet.

Zac Gallen (6-2) took the loss, although he pitched weel, going eight innings and allowing three runs on eight hits. He struck out six and did not issue a walk. Yoan Lopez came on in the ninth and allowed two insurance runs on three hits.

The DBacks had a chance to tie it off of Tigers closer Joe Jiminez as Josh Rojas lined a two-out single and Carson Kelly drew a walk. Starling Marte then hammered one that was caught on the warning track in center to end the ballgame.

Arizona will now host first place Colorado starting tomorrow in a big three game series.

David Peralta has been one of the catalysts for the DBacks in 2020.

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MLB STANDINGS
(Through May 31)



AMERICAN LEAGUE LEADERS:
BATTING AVERAGE: George Springer (Houston) .349
HOME RUNS: Carlos Santana (Cleveland) 21
RBI: Carlos Santana (Cleveland) 56
STOLEN BASES: Mallex Smith (Seattle) 19
SLUGGING PERCENTAGE: Anthony Rendon (Los Angeles) .723
OPS: George Springer (Houston) 1.150
WINS: Masahiro Tanaka (New York) 8
SAVES: Ken Giles (Toronto) 19
ERA: Jakob Junis (Kansas City) 1.97
STRIKEOUTS: Garrett Cole (New York) 108



NATIONAL LEAGUE LEADERS:
BATTING AVERAGE: Dexter Fowler (St Louis) .361
HOME RUNS: Freddie Freeman (Atlanta) 21
RBI: Paul Goldschmidt (St Louis) 54
STOLEN BASES: Starling Marte (Arizona) 20
SLUGGING PERCENTAGE: Jesse Winker (Cincinnati) .685
OPS: Jesse Winker (Cincinnati) 1.109
WINS: John Gray (Colorado) 8
SAVES: Kirby Yates (San Diego) 21
ERA: Antonio Sanzatela (Colorado) 1.65
STRIKEOUTS: Trevor Bauer (Cincinnati) 92

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June 1-3: COLORADO (37-24) @ ARIZONA (33-29)

June 1: DBacks 6, Rockies 5
June 2: DBacks 7, Rockies 1
June 3: Rockies 12, DBacks 10

The DBacks took two of three from first place Colorado to move a bit closer to first place after their dreadful start to the season.

Nick Ahmed hit a grand slam in the bottom of the seventh as the Arizona Diamondbacks rallied to defeat the Colorado Rockies 6-5 in the opener of a big series at Chase Field.

Arizona would grab a first inning lead thanks to a David Peralta solo home run. It was his 14th on the season.

Charlie Blackmon hit a two-run home run off of Jon Duplantier in the fourth to give Colorado the lead. Ryan McMahon hit a solo home run in the fifth off of Duplantier as the Rockies extended their lead.

Nick Ahmed singled home Ildemaro Vargas in the bottom of the fifth after Vargas reached on a three base error by centerfielder David Dahl, whom dropped a Vargas fly ball.

Sam Hilliard hit a solo home run in the top of the seventh off of Merrill Kelly to make it 4-2.

That set up Nick Ahmed for his game changing at bat in the bottom of the seventh, as he slammed a James Pazos slider into the seats in left with the bases loaded to give Arizona a 6-4 lead. Ahmed finished the game 4 for 4 with a double, home run and five RBIs.

The Rockies would get one back in the eighth on a Nolan Arenado two-out RBI single off of Junior Guerra, but Archie Bradley came on in the ninth and sent the Rockies down in order to pick up his 14th save.

On Tuesday evening, the DBacks dominated and took advantage of three Rockies errors in a 7-1 victory.

David Peralta started off the game with a home run into the pool off of German Marquez. It was his fourth home run in the past three games and staked the DBacks to a 1-0 lead. Josh Rojas then grounded into a fielder’s choice with the bases loaded as Nick Ahmed scored to put the DBacks up 2-0.

In the third inning, young speedster Daulton Varsho hit a long fly ball off of the wall in center that David Dahl was unable to track down. Varsho flew around the bases and scored on an inside-the-park home run.

Charlie Blackmon would get the Rox on the board in the fourth, hitting a solo home run to center off of Madison Bumgarner.

Arizona would then pick up two unearned runs in the seventh on two Rockies errors, and they would add two more runs in the eighth to make it 7-1.

Madison Bumgarner (4-5) picked up the win, pitching seven innings and allowing one run on five hits. He struck out two. Kevin Ginkel and Stefan Crichton got the final six outs as the DBacks inched closer to first place.

Notes: Christian Walker broke his right hand sliding into second base in the first inning. He will likely miss 4-8 weeks and was placed on the 10-day Injured List. The DBacks recalled Kevin Cron from Triple-A Reno.

The finale was a slugfest with the DBacks surrendering season highs in hits and runs as they dropped a 12-10 decision. Nolan Arenado went 3 for 5 with a home run and two RBIs to help lead a Colorado offense that had 20 hits.

This one was a back and forth one through the first five innings with the teams tied at 6-6. But the Rockies scored three in the sixth and three in the seventh to go up 12-6.

It looked like it was over but Kole Calhoun hit a grand slam with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to cut the lead to two. Colorado brought in closer Wade Davis and he walked Eduardo Escobar. He was down 3-0 to Jake Lamb, then threw a meatball down the center that Lamb blasted to dead center with David Dahl caught crashing into the wall at 406’ to end the ball game.

The teams combined for six home runs in the game with Calhoun hitting two and driving in six in the losing effort for Arizona. Daulton Varsho had the other one, a two-run shot. Nolan Arenado (17), David Dahl (8) and Sam Hilliard (6) homered for the Rockies as they avoided the sweep.

Jon Gray (9-2) picked up the win despite throwing only five innings and allowing six runs on seven hits. Merrill Kelly (1-3) took the loss for Arizona in relief of starter Mike Leake. Kelly allowed three runs on five hits in 1 1/3 innings of work.

The DBacks will have tomorrow off before hosting the San Diego Padres in a three game weekend series to end the home stand.

Daulton Varsho slides home on an inside-the-park home run.

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MLB DRAFT SUMMARY

The 2020 MLB First-Year Player Draft was Thursday and the Detroit Tigers took closer Peter Massett first overall. Baltimore took shortstop Derek Cotton and Miami took starting pitcher Jason Paquette.

The DBacks had the 18th overall pick and here are a list of the players that they drafted.

1. Tom Kim, OF – 60 OVR, C Potential, Age: 20
2. Heath Portillo, 2B – 57 OVR, B Potential. Age: 22
3. Delmon Rudd, RF – 51 OVR, B Potential, Age: 21
4. Harvey Green, RP – 46 OVR, C Potential, Age: 21
5. Rafael Gonzalez, SP – 68 OVR, C Potential, Age: 21
6. J.J. Schreiber, SP – 64 OVR, C Potential, Age: 18

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June 5-7: SAN DIEGO (28-39) @ ARIZONA (35-30)

June 5: DBacks 4, Padres 3
June 6: Padres 3, DBacks 1
June 7: DBacks 9, Padres 2

The DBacks stayed hot as they took two of three from the Padres to close out the home stand to move a season high five games over .500.

The Dbacks bullpen blew another save, but David Peralta came through in the bottom of the ninth as the DBacks walked it off 4-3 over the Padres in the opener of a three game weekend series at Chase Field.

Leading 3-2 in the ninth, Archie Bradley came on and gave up a lead off single to Kiki Hernandez and a double to Austin Hedges. Tommy Pham hit a sacrifice fly to center that allowed Hernandez to score to tie the game at 3-3. Bradley would get Eric Hosmer to pop out and after intentionally walking Manny Machado, he struck out Fernando Tatis Jr. to get out of the inning tied.

In the bottom half, Jon John laced a pinch hit single to left and Daulton Varsho doubled into the left field corner. Starling Marte was intentionally walked to load the bases. Josh Rojas then grounded into a 3-2-1 double play and it looked like the Padres might work themselves out of trouble. But David Peralta lined the first pitch that he saw into center, scoring Daulton Varsho with the game winning run.

David Peralta went 3 for 4 with two doubles and the game winning RBI. He has been on fire of late and has his batting average up to .325.

On Saturday afternoon the Padres won a pitcher’s duel 3-1 behind a strong outing from Chris Paddack. He tossed 6 1/3 innings, allowing just one run on four hits. He struck out four and walked two.

Zac Gallen (6-3) was the hard luck loser in this one. He pitched eight innings, allowing three run son five hits, while striking out seven and walking three.

The DBacks grabbed the lead in the first inning as Eduardo Escobar grounded into a fielder’s choice with David Peralta scoring.

The Swinging Friars would tie it up in the fourth on a Fernando Tatis Jr sacrifice fly, scoring Manny Machado. They would take the lead in the sixth as Tommy Pham crushed a Zac Gallen hanging slider into the seats in left center. Pham would add a sacrifice fly in the eighth to put the Padres up 3-1.

The Major League leader in saves, Kirby Yates came on with two outs in the eighth and he got Ketel Marte to fly out to the warning track in left with one man on base. In the ninth, he got the first two batters out before Jake Lamb singled to left. Eduardo Escobar hit a ball about as hard as you can but Kiki Hernandez caught the ball, leaping at the wall right at the 413 marker in right center to end it.

Yates has 23 saves in 23 tries for a team that has just 28 wins and sits in last in the National League West.

In the finale, the DBacks played long ball, hitting five home runs in a 9-2 victory over the Padres on Sunday afternoon. Ketel Marte and Kole Calhoun each hit two home runs as the DBacks closed out the home stand (6-3).

The DBacks broke this one open with a four run fifth inning. After getting two quick outs, David Peralta singled. Nick Ahmed grounded one to short that Fernando Tatis Jr booted. That set up Kole Calhoun to line a two run double to left. Eduardo Escobar then launched a moon shot to right to make it 6-2.

Kole Calhoun had a huge day, going 4 for 4 with a double, two home runs and five RBIs. This DBacks team is deep too as there are few weaknesses in this lineup. As evidenced on Sunday, Eduardo Escobar now has 25 RBIs, Kole Calhoun has 35, and Ketel Marte has 29.

Jon Duplantier (2-1) picked up the win. He pitched five innings, allowing two runs on six hits. He struck out six.

The Diamondbacks (35-30) now hit the road for ten games all against the National League West. They head to Colorado (40-25) for three, then San Diego (28-39) for three and close the trip with a four game series in Los Angeles (36-29).

David Peralta remains white hot as the DBacks are (22-6) since a (13-24) start.