Record: 3-3. Change on 2013: +1/2.
Brad Ziegler's spring couldn't have got off to a better start, as he sent all three batters he faced on Friday afternoon back to the dugout. Today, however, he wasn't capable of getting anyone out, retiring just two of seven Giants in the fifth inning, before having to be rescued by Adam Russell. The first two hitters there had most un-Ziegleresque line-drives to the outfield, although Brad then settled down and started getting ground-balls. However, he couldn't get a double-play, and another line-drive ended his afternoon. Russell gave up another hit, which let an inherited runner score, to leave Ziegler's line at 0.2 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 0 K.
He took the loss, coughing up a Diamondbacks' lead that was fresh out of the oven, Arizona having scored twice in the top half of the frame, to take a 2-1 edge. Mark Trumbo started things off with a double, and came home on a Miguel Montero single. A hit batter and walk then loaded the bases for Arizona with one out, but a Gerardo Parra sacrifice fly was all we could muster, as Cliff Pennington was caught stealing second for the final out of the frame. We didn't have a hit thereafter until the ninth, but a Mike Jacobs double scored Ender Inciarte and brought Andy Marte to the plate as the tying run. There were to be no heroics, however, and he grounded out to end the game.
Miley's performance extended the run of very solid outings by our starters so far. In the six games to far, they have thrown 22 innings and allowed seven earned runs, for a 2.86 ERA. For what it's worth, the Dodgers' similar ERA is 4.32, so we're winning there. :) Miley scattered five hits and a walk with two strikeouts. Three of those hits came in the first, which would likely have led to more than the one run, if Gerardo Parra hadn't unleashed the Parrazooka for his first outfield assist of the year. It didn't take long for the next one to follow: it came in the fifth, Parra gunning a runner down who tried to go first to third, and mercifully ending that frame.
Mike Jacobs was the only Diamondback to reach safely more than once, doubling and walking. Addison Reed, David Hernandez and Will Harris each threw a scoreless inning, Hernandez's being the only perfect one, though Harris struck out two batters.10,830 on hand at Scottsdale Stadium for this one. Tomorrow, it's two more games for Arizona at Salt River Fields. We have an afternoon contest against the Angels, which is on TV (Fox Sports 1), with Brandon McCarthy starting there. Then, in the evening, Archie Bradley makes another attempt to get his spring under way, taking on the Rockies.
And, don't forget, the SnakePit Round Table (with a very special guest, I believe!) will go live at 8pm tonight.