Los DBacks - An MLB 20 Franchise Presented by BigJDotCom

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MLB STANDINGS
(Through August 2)



AMERICAN LEAGUE LEADERS:
BATTING AVERAGE: George Springer (Houston) .351
HOME RUNS: Anthony Rendon (Los Angeles) 37
RBI: Francisco Lindor (Cleveland) 90
STOLEN BASES: Mallex Smith (Seattle) 37
SLUGGING PERCENTAGE: George Springer (Houston) .673
OPS: George Springer (Houston) 1.110
WINS: Shane Bieber (Texas) 13
SAVES: Ken Giles (Toronto) 33
ERA: Marco Gonzales (Seattle) 2.70
STRIKEOUTS: Garrett Cole (New York) 194



NATIONAL LEAGUE LEADERS:
BATTING AVERAGE: David Peralta (Arizona) .329
HOME RUNS: Paul Goldschmidt (St Louis) 36
RBI: Cody Bellinger (Los Angeles) 105
STOLEN BASES: Jarrod Dyson (Pittsburgh) 40
SLUGGING PERCENTAGE: Eduardo Escobar (Arizona) .642
OPS: Cody Bellinger (Los Angeles) 1.013
WINS: Clayton Kershaw (Los Angeles) 12
SAVES: Rowan Wick (Chicago) 39
ERA: Brad Keller (San Francisco) 2.37
STRIKEOUTS: Max Scherzer (Washington) 177

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

Whoof. Going to be tough for the Angels to hold on to the division if they can't get that negative run differential in check.

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August 4-5: ARIZONA (62-52) @ HOUSTON (59-54)

August 4: Astros 4, DBacks 3
August 5: Astros 3. DBacks 2

One week ago the DBacks were the hottest team in baseball with a ten game winning streak. Now they have lost three straight and 4 of 5 after getting swept in a two game series in Houston.

In the opener, the Astros jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the third and hung on for a thrilling 4-3 victory in the opener of a quick two game series at Minute Maid Park in downtown Houston.

Yordan Alvarez homered off of Corbin Martin in the second to give the Astros a 1-0 lead. Josh Reddick then lined a two-run single to left, and George Springer lined a two-out RBI single to center to make it 4-0 in the third.

Corbin Martin (1-1) would settle down after than and went 6 2/3 innings allowing the four runs (three earned) on six hits. He struck out six and walked one.

The Dbacks would finally get on the board in the sixth off of Lance McCullers as Daulton Varsho lined a base hit that scored Nick Ahmed. Eduardo Escobar would double down into the left field corner to score Josh Rojas to cut the Astros lead in half. But Jake Lamb would strike out to end the inning with two runners in scoring position.

In the seventh Starling Marte lined an RBI single to center to score Christian Walker to cut the Astros lead to just one run.

The DBacks had a great opportunity to tie or take the lead in the ninth off of Roberto Osuna. Starling Marte and Nick Ahmed singled to open the inning. After Josh Rojas popped out, Daulton Varsho singled to right to load the bases with just one out. Osuna then got the National League’s leading hitter, David Peralta to strike out. He then struck out Kole Calhoun to end it and pick up his 31st save.

Arizona stranded nine men on base in this one, including six in scoring position.

In the finale it was more of the same as Arizona’s offensive struggles continued in a 3-2 loss to the Astros. Michael Brantley hit a solo home run in the eighth to break a 2-2 tie and send Houston to the sweep.

The DBacks grabbed a 2-0 lead in the second inning thanks to solo home runs from Eduardo Escobar and Christian Walker. But that would be all the offense that the DBacks could mange in the one, as they ended up with just six hits.

Houston would tie the game in the bottom of the sixth as Josh Reddick it a two-strike, two-out, two-run home run to tie the game off of Mike Leake. Then Michael Brantley did the same in the eighth with a a two-strike, two-out solo home run to break a 2-2 tie.

Chris Devenski (4-2) picked up the win out of the bullpen for the Astros. He worked two innings in relief of starter Josh James. Roberto Osuna picked up the save, his 32nd, working an easy 1-2-3 ninth against the top of the order.

Arizona, now two games out of first and back in third place, will now head to Pittsburgh (44-70) to take on the second worst team in the National League in a four game series.

Michael Brantley and the Astros swept the DBacks.

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August 6-9: ARIZONA (66-52) @ PITTSBURGH (44-74)

August 6: DBacks 10, Pirates 2
August 7: DBacks 9, Pirates 4
August 8: DBacks 3, Pirates 1
August 9: DBacks 8, Pirates 2

The DBacks came into Pittsburgh and left with just what they needed, a four game sweep to stay within arms length of the Dodgers in the NL West.

In the opener, the DBacks snapped a three game losing streak as they broke out their hitting sticks in a 10-2 thrashing of the Pirates at PNC Park in downtown Pittsburgh. Ketel Marte went 4 for 5 and hit for the cycle in the lopsided win.

Merrill Kelly (3-4), making a spot start after the injury to Luke Weaver, carried a no hitter into the fifth inning and picked up his third win on the season. He went five innings, allowing two runs on three hits, while striking out three.

Rookie Nick Nelson (0-2) got roughed up for the Pirates, lasting just 2 2/3 innings and allowing five runs on eight hits. He saw his ERA balloon to 13.50.

Arizona pounded out 18 hits in the game with eight extra base hits including three triples. Eduardo Escobar went 4 for 4 with a home run, his 30th, and three RBIs to push his team leading total to 68 on the season.

On Friday evening the DBacks bats stayed hot as they pounded out 14 hits and took advantage of three Pirates errors in a 9-4 victory. Kole Calhoun went 3 for 5 with two doubles, a home run and three RBI.

After the Pirates jumped on Madison Bumgarner for two in the first inning, it looked like the Pirates may give the DBacks all they could handle but it wasn’t to be. The DBacks got back one in the second on Josh Rojas sacrifice fly. Then they scored four times in the third on an RBI double from Daulton Varsho, a two run double from Kole Calhoun and a Jake Lamb RBI single.

Kole Calhoun homered in the top of the fifth and Josh Bell homered in the bottom half for the Pirates.

Things got a little chipping again late with Nick Burdi hitting Ketel Marte right on the elbow. This happened late in Thursday evening’s ball game. The DBacks would retaliate in the ninth when Chaz Roe hit Josh Bell with a fastball on the first pitch. These two teams have had a history of beaning players so the next two games could be interesting.

Madison Bumgarner (11-6) picked up the win despite a mediocre effort. He went six innings, allowing four runs on nine hits. He walked two and did not strike out a batter. Joe Musgrove (8-9) took the loss for Pittsburgh allowing six earned runs on eight hits in just five innings.

Eduardo Escobar continues to rake, going 2 for 5 with a double and RBI, raising his National League leading batting average to .330.

Zac Gallen was on top of his game on Saturday evening as he allowed just one hit over six plus innings to pick up his 11th win in the season in a 3-1 DBacks victory. The lone hit allowed was a solo home run by Guillermo Heredia to open the seventh inning.

Arizona would grab the lead in the second inning as Ketel Marte reached on a fielder’s choice with the bases loaded, allowing Daulton Varsho to score. They would increase the lead to 3-0 in the sixth on a Varsho RBI triple and a Greg Allen RBI single.

The Pirates would get the solo home run off of Gallen in the seventh, but the Arizona bullpen shut down any threat as Junior Guerra worked two scoreless innings and Archie Bradley worked a perfect ninth to earn his 27th save.

Three more DBacks were hit-by-pitches in this one and Sunday could prove interesting. Pittsburgh starter Mitch Keller (4-7) lasted just four innings as he threw 93 pitches. He allowed one run on two hits, but walked three, hit two and struck out six.

In the finale, the DBacks cruised to an 8-2 victory. Christian Walker was a one man wrecking crew, going 5 for 5 with two home runs and two RBI.

Nick Ahmed delivered the crushing blow in the seventh with a bases clearing three-run triple to put the DBacks up 6-0.

Jon Duplantier (7-5) cruised to the victory, tossing 7 2/3 innings and allowing two runs on seven hits. Chaz Roe finished it up recording the final four outs against a rather feeble Pirates attack.

Arizona now returns home for a big four game series with the Rockies (65-53), who trail the DBacks by just one game for second place and the second National League Wild Card.

Ketel Marte and the DBacks picked up a much needed sweep in Pittsburgh.

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August 10-13: COLORADO (69-53) @ ARIZONA (66-56)

August 10: Rockies 3, DBacks 0
August 11: Rockies 5, DBacks 4
August 12: Rockies 3, DBacks 1
August 13: Rockies 5, DBacks 4

After sweeping the Pirates in Pittsburgh to get back in the race in the NL West, the DBacks returned home and were swept in a four game series by the Colorado Rockies to fall 4 ½ games out in the NL West.

In the opener, the Rockies got a great pitching performance from Jeff Hoffman as they shutout the DBacks 3-0. Hoffman (7-6) went 6 1/3, scattering five hits and striking out eight, while walking just one as the Rox took the opener of a crucial four game series at Chase Field.

Colorado jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first on a Trevor Story home run to lead off the ball game. The solo shot was his 28th on the season. They would extend their lead in the fifth as Mike Leake walked in a run with the bases loaded, then Ryan McMahon hit a sacrifice fly to right to make it 3-0.

Meanwhile the DBacks offense was anemic, scattering seven hits and stranding five runners in scoring position, including leaving the bases loaded in the second inning with David Peralta and Kole Calhoun striking out to end that inning.

Mike Leake (9-6) took the loss for Arizona, tossing five innings and allowing the three runs on six hits. Hector Rondon and Yoan Lopez pitched the final four innings of scoreless relief.

On Tuesday evening the Rockies rallied for a 5-4 victory over the DBacks to move ahead of the DBacks and into second place in the NL West. Charlie Blackmon went 2 for 3 with a home run and he drove in three runs in the victory to help pace the Rockies.

Colorado moved in front in the opening inning as Charlie Blackmon hit a two-run home run off of Corbin Martin.

Red-hot Josh Rojas laced a two-run double down the line in left in the second inning to tie the game up. Rojas went 3 for 4 in the game and is 6 for 7 in the series with four doubles and three RBI.

Ryan McMahon homered to center in the top of the third to move the Rockies bak in front. It was his 14th on the season.

Kole Calhoun would tie it back up in the bottom half with a solo home run to right. It was his 23rd on the season. Christian Walker would give Arizona the lead as he and Eduardo Escobar lined back-to-back doubles to put the DBacks in front 4-3.

The Rockies would send Corbin Martin to the showers in the fifth. Trevor Story lead off with a home run to left to tie the game. Ryan McMahon then doubled and score on a Charlie Blackmon RBI single to put the Rockies in front for good.

Colorado then let their bullpen shut down Arizona. Five relievers combined to pitch the final five innings, allowing just two hits with reliever Jake McGee (3-2) picking up the victory. Wade David earned his 32nd save on the season with a perfect ninth inning.

The Rockies took an early lead again on Wednesday evening and made that hold up as they won their third straight over the DBacks 3-1 at Chase Field. Nolan Arenado homered twice and went 3 for 3 for the Rockies as they kept pace with the red-hot Dodgers in the NL West race.

Arenada homered in the first inning off of Madison Bumgarner. He then added another solo hot in the fourth two make it 2-0. They were his 38th and 39th on the season.

Sam Hilliard hit a solo home run in the sixth off of Bumgarner to give the Rockies a three run cushion. That was all that German Marquez would need. Marquez (9-8) pitched six solid innings, allowing one run on five hits. He struck out seven and walked two. The lone DBacks run came in the sixth on a solo home run from Kole Calhoun.

Madison Bumgarner (11-7) took the loss, allowing the three runs on eight hits in six innings of work. Arizona was held to just six hits in the loss. It was their third straight loss after four straight wins in Pittsburgh.

In the finale, it was more of the same as the Rockies scored early, then held on late getting Kole Calhoun to bounce into a 6-4-3 double play to end the game with the tying run on third base. The Rockies swept the DBacks thanks to a 5-4 victory that moved them to within 1 ½ games of the Dodgers in the West and a full three games ahead of Arizona.

David Dahl got the party started in the first inning with an RBI single to center that scored Ryan McMahon. The Rockies stranded the bases loaded or it could have been much worse. They would add another off of Zac Gallen in the second inning as McMahon lined an RBI double to center to score Trevor Story.

The Rockies would extend their lead to 4-0 in the fifth on a pair of RBI groundouts after Ryan McMahon and Nolan Arendo singled to open the inning and advance on a wild pitch.

Arizona finally broke through against Antonio Senzatela in the bottom half of the fifth inning as Kole Calhoun hit a two-run home run to right field. It was his 25th on the season.

Tony Wolters hit a huge solo home run in the eighth off of Junior Guerra to stretch the Rox lead to 5-2.

That run would be huge as the DBacks loaded the bases in the ninth off of Rockies closer Wade Davis. Nick Ahmed lined a two-run single to right to cut the lead to 5-4 with just one out. But the Rockies brought in Carlos Estevez and he got Kole Calhoun to hit one hard but right at Trevor Story who was able to turn a 6-4-3 double play to end the ball game and complete the sweep. It was Estevez’s third save on the season.

Ryan McMahon went 5 for 5 with two doubles and an RBI in the finale.

Things don’t get an easier for Arizona as they now head to Los Angeles for a weekend series with the first place Dodgers (71-52) who have won eight of ten.

The Rockies sweep has now pushed the DBacks 2 ½ games behind the Reds in the Wild Card race.

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August 14-16: ARIZONA (67-58) @ LOS ANGELES (73-53)

August 14: Dodgers 2, DBacks 0
August 15: Dodgers 10, DBacks 3
August 16: DBacks 3, Dodgers 1

The DBacks salvaged the finale to avoid a second straight sweep and they broke a six game losing streak in the process.

The DBacks ran their losing streak to five games in the opener as they dropped a 2-0 decision to the Dodgers. Alex Wood tossed eight shutout innings, scattering eight hits while striking out four to pick up his fourth win.

The Dodgers would get all the offense that they would need from their first batter of the game as Mookie Betts led off the first with a solo home run to left. It was the fifth straight game that the DBacks have surrendered a first inning run.

Cody Bellinger would add to the lead with a solo home run in the third. It was his 39th on the season.

Jon Duplantier (7-6) was the hard luck loser in this one. He pitched 6 2/3 innings and allowed the two runs on seven hits. He struck out five and walked two.

The offense again left guys in scoring position, a theme in this five game losing streak. Friday night they left six men in scoring position in the loss.

The Dodgers hit four home runs on Saturday evening as they rallied for a 10-3 victory over the slumping DBacks. Los Angeles used a six-run sixth inning to flip this game and waltz to the victory.

Mookie Betts looks like he may be a DBacks nemesis for years to come. On Saturday evening, he hit another home run, made a diving catch to end the second inning with the bases loaded, and threw out another guy at the plate to help the Dodgers to the win.

Manager Torey Lovullo said afterwards that he “took blame” for the loss, leaving Mike Leake in one batter too long. Matt Beaty came in and hit a pinch hit grand slam to break a 3-3 tie in the sixth. It was Mike Leake’s last batter.

Arizona was held without a hit over the final six innings as they managed just three hits the entire game.

The finale was Corbin Martin and the DBacks bullpen will the team to victoyr as they slipped past the Dodgers 3-1. David Peralta went 2 for 4 with a double and home run to lead the way offensively.

Los Angeles grabbed a 1-0 lead in the second inning as Joc Pederson homered to left off of Corbin Martin.

Arizona would immediately respond in the top of the third as Kole Calhoun lined a two-run single with the bases loaded to put the DBacks in front to stay at 2-1. David Peralta’s solo home run in the fifth added a bit of insurance.

Corbin Martin picked up the win to improve to (2-2). He tossed five plus innings, allowing one run on just four hits. He struck out four and walked one. Hector Rondon came on in relief in the sixth with two one and none out and managed to work his way out of the jam. Junior Guerra tossed two shutout innings and Archie Bradley worked a 1-2-3 ninth to pick up his 28th save.

Arizona (67-58) will now return home to face Kansas City (65-59) for two games and the San Francisco Giants (61-53) for four games next weekend.

Mookie Betts, the latest in a long line of Dodgers that torment the DBacks.

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August 17-18: KANSAS CITY (66-60) @ ARIZONA (68-59)

August 17: DBacks 9, Royals 4
August 18: Royals 6, DBacks 0

The DBacks split a quick two game set with the Royals at Chase Field.

The DBacks took the opener 9-4 thanks to five long balls. Kole Calhoun and Starling Marte each hit two home runs as the DBacks grabbed the opener of a quick two game series at Chase Field.

The DBacks blew this one open with a five run third inning. Ildemaro Vargas got the party started with an RBI double to center to put Arizona in front 2-1. Christian Walker then hit a three-run bomb to left and Starling Marte followed that with a home run to right.

Madison Bumgarner (12-7) picked up the win, pitching seven innings and allowing four runs on seven hits. Junior Guerra and Kevin Ginkel worked the final two innings and did not allow a run.

In Tuesday’s finale, Brandon Woodruff (4-9) tossed seven shutout innings, allowing just two hits while striking out six to help the Royals to a 6-0 victory.

Kansas City would get all the offense that they would need in the first inning, scoring three times off of Zac Gallen. Adelberto Mondesi lined an RBI double and Maikel Franco added a two-out, two-run double.

Jorge Soler hit a sacrifice fly in the fifth to extend the lead and then added a two-run home run in the ninth off of Hector Rondon. It was Soler’s 31st bomb on the season.

Zac Gallen (11-10) took the loss, tossing six innings and allowing ten hits and four earned runs. He struck out five and walked just one.

Arizona will have Wednesday off before welcoming last place San Francisco (62-64) in for a four game weekend series.

Kole Calhoun went deep twice in Monday evening’s win.

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August 20-23: SAN FRANCISCO (64-66) @ ARIZONA (70-61)

August 20: DBacks 3, Giants 0
August 21: Giants 3, DBacks 2 (10)
August 22: Giants 3, DBacks 1
August 23: DBacks 4, Giants 3

The DBacks and Giants split a four game series at Chase Field as the DBacks postseason hopes continue to slide away.

The DBacks took the opener behind a sparkling pitching performance from Jon Duplantier as he allowed just one hit, to open the eighth, as the DBacks defeated the Giants 3-0.

Duplantier (8-6) had his best pitching performance of 2020, allowing just the one base hit to Brandon Belt to open the eighth inning. His final line saw him throw seven plus innings, allowing one hit, while striking out three and walking just one.

The DBacks would get all the offense that they would need in the first inning as David Peralta singled home Ketel Marte, who opened the first with a double off of the wall in left.

Kole Calhoun added a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning. It was his team leading 75th RBI on the season. Eduardo Escobar then homered to left in the seventh to make it 3-0. Escobar leads the DBacks with 32 home runs and is second with 73 RBI.

Archie Bradley worked a 1-2-3 ninth to pick up his 29th save.

The Giants blew a late lead, but rallied for a 3-2 victory in ten innings on Friday night. A Wilmer Flores sacrifice fly scored Evan Longoria with the winning run as the Giants evened the series.

Arizona trailed 2-0 entering the bottom of the eighth as Johnny Cueto brought his A-game to Chase Field. But Ketel Marte singled home Carson Kelly to get the DBacks on the board and chase Cueto. Then in the bottom of the ninth, Nick Ahmed bounced a two-out RBI single back up the middle to score Kole Calhoun with the game tying run.

San Francisco would retake the lead in the top of the tenth as Evan Longoria doubled to open the inning off of Yoan Lopez. Billy Hamilton then blooped a singled to left. Lopez got Kean Wong to ground out to Nick Ahmed at short. Wilmer Flores was able to golf a low slider out to Kole Calhoun in right that was deep enough to score Longoria.

Dany Jiminez came on in the bottom half and secured the save, his first. Starling Marte singled to open the inning, but Jiminez got pinch hitter Ildemaro Vargas to bounce into a 3-6-3 double play to kill any thoughts that Arizona had of tying the ballgame. Ketel Marte then bounced out to short to end the game.

Neither starter figured in the decision but both pitched well. Johnny Cueto went 7 2/3 innings, allowing on run on six hits. He struck out six. Mike Leake went six innings for Arizona only allowing two runs on six hits. He struck out two and walked one.

The Giants scored twice in the first inning and made that stand on Saturday evening as they eeked out a 3-1 victory over the slumping DBacks. Pablo Sandoval blooped a two-out, two-run double into short left field and off of the glove of Josh Rojas in the first inning to provide really all the offense that San Francisco would need.

Arizona would get one back in the seventh on Eduardo Escobar’s 33rd home run on the year, into the poo, but the DBacks bats were once again stymied by this Giants pitching staff. Arizona managed just seven base hits in the game and they wasted a nice pitching performance from Corbin Martin. Martin (2-3) pitched six solid innings, allowing just two runs on six base hits. He struck out four and walked one.

Hector Rondon pitched two shutout innings of relief, striking out four.

Brad Keller (10-7) picked up the win for the Giants, going 6 2/3 and allowing one run on six hits. He struck out three and walked none.

In Sunday afternoon’s finale, the DBacks rallied late, scoring twice in the bottom of the eighth to pull out a 4-3 victory to earn a series split. Madison Bumgarner was brilliant, pitching seven innings and allowing no earned runs while striking out five.

The Giants once again jumped on the DBacks early, scoring two unearned runs in the first thanks to a Nick Ahmed throwing error.

Arizona would tie it up in the fourth on back-to-back solo home runs from Christian Walker (23) and Jake Lamb (7).

The Giants would retake the lead in the top of the eighth as Austin Slater hit a solo home run off of Kevin Ginkel and it looked like the Giants would leave Arizona winning three of four. But the DBacks rallied in the bottom half. Ketel Marte hit a pinch hit one-out double to left center. Starling Marte followed that up with a ground rule double to tie the game at 3-3. David Pearlta then lined a single to left to score Marte and put Arizona up 4-3, but was tagged out at second on the play.

Archie Bradley came on and worked the ninth to earn his 30th save on the season.

The DBacks (70-61) will not head east to take on first place Cleveland (74-56) and Miami (58-73) ahead of a huge series at home against the Dodgers.

Jon Duplantier carried a no hitter into the eighth in Thursday’s opener.

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August 25-27: ARIZONA (71-63) @ CLEVELAND (76-57)

August 25: DBacks 2, Indians 0
August 26: Indians 11, DBacks 10 (10)
August 27: Indians 2, DBacks 1

The DBacks dropped two of three in Cleveland to open a seven game road trip. The DBacks remain just three games out of the Wild Card in the National League but they are running out of time as there are just 28 games left in the regular season.

The DBacks took the opener in a pitchers duel, 2-0. Zac Gallen was almost unhittable, allowing just two hits over seven innings while striking out eight as he won his 12th game.

Arizona would get all the offense that they would need in the second inning on a solo home run from Christian Walker. IT was his 24th on the season. Eduardo Escobar would add a solo shot off of Carlos Carrasco in the fourth to make it 2-0.

Carrasco (7-11) was brilliant on the mound for the Tribe. He pitched seven innings, allowing just the two solo home runs and just three total hits while striking out 11. The Indians pitchers struck out 14 DBacks batters and allowed just three hits in the loss.

Archie Bradley worked a perfect ninth for Arizona to pick up his 31st save on the year.

Tuesday evening was a wild one as the Indians blew a six run lead and fell behind 10-7 in the ninth before rallying for an 11-10 extra inning victory over a stunned DBacks team. Oscar Mercado hit a three-run home run off of Archie Bradley in the bottom of the ninth after the DBacks put five up in the top half, then Willie Calhoun hit a solo home run to lead off the bottom of the tenth to send the Tribe to the improbable victory.

This was a wild one from the start as the Indians built a 7-1 lead, with a five run fourth, off of Jon Duplantier. Francisco Lindor and Willie Calhoun each homered in the inning as it looked like the Indians would cruise to victory.

But the plucky DBacks scratched their way back with one in the fifth, two in both the sixth and seventh, and then took the lead with five in the top of the ninth. The DBacks trailed 7-5 entering the ninth and got their first run on a third strike wild pitch. They would tie the game on a throwing error from third baseman Jose Ramirez, allowing Starling Marte to score. Ketel Marte then blasted a three-run home run to right on the first pitch from Nick Whittgren and it looked like the DBacks would pull out the most improbable of victories.

But the Indians rallied and the DBacks sat stunned in the dugout and locker room afterwards.

“I have to be better,” said Archie Bradley, who blew his seventh save on the season. “We had a three run lead and I was being too cute and I got hurt. This is a tough one to rally from six down and go up by three only to lose….”

Yoan Lopez (2-6) took the loss for Arizona. Brad Hand blew a save for Cleveland, his fifth, but Nick Whittgren came on and picked up the win, pitching two innings and shutting down the DBacks after giving up the go ahead home run to Ketel Marte.

In the finale, the Indians won a pitcher’s duel 2-1. Jefrey Rodriguez was crafty in limiting the DBacks to just one run on five hits in six innings of work.

Arizona grabbed a 1-0 lead in the fifth inning on a Nick Ahmed RBI single that scored Jake Lamb.

The Indians would get that run right back in the bottom half. Roberto Perez grounded out to Eduardo Escobar, allowing Rougned Odor to score to tie the ball game. Odor had opened the inning with a double to left.

Cleveland would take the lead in the sixth as Jose Ramirez singled, stole second and scored on a Willie Calhoun RBI double. Ramirez went 3 for 4 in the game and had two stolen bases.

Jefrey Rodriguez (10-5) picked up the win with Brad Hand picking up his 36th save as he worked a perfect ninth.

Mike Leake (9-8) was the hard luck loser in this one. He went five plus innings, allowing two runs on six hits while striking out five and not issuing any walks. Junior Guerra and Andrew Chafin worked three scoreless innings in relief.

Arizona will head to Miami (59-75) for a four game series to close out the road trip.

Willie Calhoun hit two bombs, including the walk off winner, in Tuesday’s 11-10 Indians win.

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August 28-31: ARIZONA (72-66) @ MIAMI (62-76)

August 28: Marlins 1, DBacks 0 (13)
August 29: DBacks 2, Marlins 1
August 30: Marlins 2, DBacks 1 (10)
August 31: Marlins 2, DBacks 0

All you need to know in this four game series is that the Marlins scored just six runs….and won three of the four games. The DBacks managed just three runs in the four game series and really looks like a team that will have a tough time catching either Colorado or St Louis for the Wild Card in September.

The Marlins took the opener 1-0 in 13 innings. It was another in a long line of galling defeats for the DBacks in 2020.

Corey Dickerson lined a one out base hit into the right field corner that scored Magneuris Sierra with the game winning run for a Marlins team that has long been out of the playoff picture.

Arizona has been in a huge slump and it comes at the worst possible time. They have been unable to hit the ball at all lately even though they have gotten excellent pitching. It has not mattered. The DBacks are just (4-12) in their last 16 games as they desperately try and stay in the Wild Card chase.

Elieser Hernandez absolutely shut down the DBacks on Friday night, tossing 7 1/3 innings and allowing just four hits while striking out 10. Arizona had 16 strikeouts on the evening.

Corbin Martin pitched seven shutout innings for Arizona, allowing just four hits and striking out five. Hector Rondon sent down all nine men that he faced in three innings of work. Kevin Ginkel (1-6) took the loss, but he went 2 1/3 innings and allowed just two hits and the one run.

The DBacks snapped a three game losing streak on Saturday evening thanks to some late game Jake Lamb heroics in a 2-1 victory over the Marlins. Lamb hit a two-out solo home run to right in the ninth to push Arizona in front 2-1.

The slumping DBacks grabbed the lead in the fourth inning on a Jake Lamb two-out RBI single that drove in Eduardo Escobar.

Miami would get that run right back in the bottom half as Jon Berti beat the throw home from Eduardo Escobar on a high chopper from Brian Anderson.

That setup the DBacks for the late game heroics. Archie Bradley then came in and pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to earn his 32nd save. Andrew Chafin (4-3) picked up the win in relief. He worked a scoreless eighth inning. Madison Bumgarner worked six innings, allowing one run on six hits. He struck out five.

Sandy Alcantara pitched seven innings for Miami, allowing one run on eight hits while striking out three.

Sunday afternoon was another pitcher’s duel as Zac Gallen and Sixto Sanchez were both in top form. Sanchez pitched seven innings for Miami, allowing just one run on five hits. Gallen went six plus for Arizona, allowing one run on eight hits, while striking out nine and walking three.

This one went to extra innings tied at 1-1, and it was the Marlins who came through in the tenth off of Archie Bradley. Magneuris Sierra opened the tenth with a single to center. German Duran then pinch ran for him and stole second. Bradley intentionally walked Corey Dickerson. Garrett Cooper sacrificed the runners over. Bradley then intentionally walked Lewin Diaz with Chad Wallach coming in to pinch hit. He delivered the game winner, hitting a flare into right to score Duran with the game winner.

Yimi Garcia (2-2) picked up the win out of the bullpen for Miami. Archie Bradley (3-4) took the loss for the DBacks.

Arizona (72-65) has struggled offensively as of late and they are falling farther back in the National League Wild Card race.

In the finale, the anemic DBacks offense was shutout 2-0 as they dropped three of four in Miami. Pablo Lopez (12-9) was brilliant for the Marlins, tossing seven innings and allowing just five hits while striking out four.

The Marlins would get all the runs that they would need in the fifth inning on an RBI single from Francisco Cervelli. Isan Diaz added a solo home run in the bottom of the eighth for a little insurance.

Jon Duplantier (8-7) took the loss for Arizona. He pitched 5 1/3 innings, allowing just the one run on five hits. He left the game with elbow soreness and will be reevaluated back in Arizona.

Arizona will return home for two against first place Los Angeles and three with St Louis, the National League Wild Card leaders.

The lowly Marlins took three of four from the slumping DBacks, further damaging their playoff hopes.

[bigjdotcom01]

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

MLB STANDINGS
(Through August 31)



AMERICAN LEAGUE LEADERS:
BATTING AVERAGE: George Springer (Houston) .320
HOME RUNS: Anthony Rendon (Los Angeles) 46
RBI: Mike Trout (Los Angeles) 115
STOLEN BASES: Mallex Smith (Seattle) 44
SLUGGING PERCENTAGE: Mike Trout (Los Angeles) .670
OPS: Mike Trout (Los Angeles) 1.074
WINS: Shane Bieber (Texas) 14
SAVES: Roberto Osuna (Houston) 38
ERA: Shane Bieber (Texas) 2.90
STRIKEOUTS: Garrett Cole (New York) 223



NATIONAL LEAGUE LEADERS:
BATTING AVERAGE: Eduardo Escobar (Arizona) .321
HOME RUNS: Cody Bellinger (Los Angeles) 45
RBI: Cody Bellinger (Los Angeles) 141
STOLEN BASES: Jarrod Dyson (Pittsburgh) 42
SLUGGING PERCENTAGE: Cody Bellinger (Los Angeles) .666
OPS: Cody Bellinger (Los Angeles) 1.049
WINS: Josh Lindblom (Pittsburgh) 14
SAVES: Rowan Wick (Chicago) 43
ERA: Zach Davies (San Diego) 2.54
STRIKEOUTS: Max Scherzer (Washington) 209

[bigjdotcom01]

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

September 1-2: LOS ANGELES (84-57) @ ARIZONA (72-68)

September 1: Dodgers 8, DBacks 3
September 2: Dodgers 2, DBacks 1

The DBacks woes continued as they returned home and were swept in a short two-game series against the rival Dodgers. The two losses ran their losing streak to four games and the Dodgers winning streak to four games.

The Dodgers took the opener 8-3 as the DBacks continue to fade out of playoff contention. Valley native Cody Bellinger went 2 for 5 with a home run and three RBIs to lead the Dodgers. He leads the National League in home runs (46) and RBI (144).

Arizona built a 2-0 lead after two innings as they looked to end their recent skid. But the Dodgers scored four in the fourth and three in the fifth to put this one away.

Mike Leake (9-9) took the loss for the DBacks. He went four plus innings, allowing seven run son seven hits. Clayton Kershaw (14-6) picked up the win for the Dodgers. He went seven plus innings, allowing three runs on seven hits, while striking out six and walking two.

On Tuesday evening it was Chris Paddack who shut down the anemic DBacks offense. Paddack (10-7) went five innings, allowing one run on just three hits, while striking out eight and walking only one.

The Dodgers would get all the run support for Paddack that he would need in the top of the first inning when Joc Pederson doubled to center, scoring Cody Bellinger and Max Muncy.

The DBacks would get their lone run in the fifth inning on a Ketel Marte ground rule double, which scored Starting Marte. Carbin Martin (2-4) took the loss despite a decent outing in which he lasted five innings, allowing the two runs on five hits. Hector Rondon and Junior Guerra each tossed two innings of scoreless relief.

Kenley Jansen worked a scoreless ninth for Los Angeles to earn his 42nd save in 44 opportunities this season.

Arizona has tomorrow off before hosting the National League Wild Card leading St Louis Cardinals for a three game weekend series. If they have any hope of securing a Wild Card berth they need a big weekend.

Cody Bellinger and his Dodgers cruised past the DBacks.

[bhurst99]

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

This is some slump. Playoffs are looking pretty bleak.

[Knickerbocker91]

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

Tough time to dealing with an offensive slump, hopefully Arizona can get back on track and make a push.

[bigjdotcom01]

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

September 4-6: ST LOUIS (79-64) @ ARIZONA (75-68)

September 4: DBacks 10, Cardinals 0
September 5: DBacks 6, Cardinals 1
September 6: DBacks 11, Cardinals 4

Arizona may have stopped the bleeding with a weekend series sweep of the National League Wild Card leaders as they dominated the St Louis Cardinals at Chase Field, outscoring the Redbirds 27-5 in the three game sweep.

The DBacks broke their bats out of their slump on Friday evening as they pounded out 12 hits in a 10-0 defeat of the St Louis Cardinals at Chase Field. Madison Bumgarner was just as good, tossing a complete game shutout to earn the victory.

This one was over pretty quickly as the DBacks scored three in the first and three in the third to jump out to a 6-0 lead. Eduardo Escobar and Nick Ahmed hit RBI doubles in the first inning. David Peralta singled home Ketel Marte in the third and then Cole Calhoun hit his team leading 28th home run to make it 6-0.

Ketel Marte hit a moon shot into the center field seat in the seventh. The home run was his 23rd on the season and measured 474 feet. Daulton Varsho would add a two run home run in the eighth to cap off a much needed offensive night for the DBacks,

Madison Bumgarner (13-7) allowed just five hits, while striking out four and walking none to pick up the win. Mike Mikolas (10-13) took the loss for the Cards. He lasted just two plus innings, allowing six runs on seven hits.

Zac Gallen tossed a gem on Saturday afternoon as the DBacks easily dispatched of the Cardinals 6-1. Gallen went seven shutout innings, allowing just two hits. He struck out eight and walked two as he improved to (13-10).

Christian Walker did most of the damage at the plate for Arizona. He homered in the fourth inning, and then added a two-run triple in the sixth inning. The home run was his 26th on the season.

Eduardo Escobar, the National League’s leading hitter, went 3 for 4 with two runs scored.

The Cardinals lone run of the game came with two outs in the ninth inning on a Paul Goldschmidt RBI single off of Chad Roe.

Mackenzie Gore (0-1) took the loss for St Louis. He pitched five plus innings, allowing three runs on seven hits, while striking out two and walking just one.

The finale was more of the same as Arizona scored runs in each of the first seven innings in an 11-4 victory. Kole Calhoun led the way, going 3 for 5 with a double, home run and 3 RBI.

Jon Duplantier (9-7) picked up the victory, tossing seven strong innings, allowing two runs on six hits.

Arizona pounded out 18 hits and appears to have broken out of their horrendous offensive slump. They are hoping that his carries over into a huge seven game road trip to San Diego and Los Angeles this week that may decide their Wild Card fate. They currently sit three games back of Cincinnati and Atlanta for the final spot in the NL.

Big injury news in the finale as Ketel Marte left the game after the first pitch of the game after diving for a Kolton Wong line drive back up the middle. It was diagnosed as a strained bicep and he will likely miss some, if not all, of the series in San Diego. But the DBacks hope to have him back for the weekend series in LA.

Ketel Marte and the DBacks kept their Wild Card hopes alive with a sweep of the Cardinals.