Arizona Diamondbacks 2, Colorado Rockies 4: Chafin gonna chafe

Record: 9-9. Change on 2017: -1.

We’ve already seen Yuhei Nakaushiro dispatched from camp, and while Andrew Chafin appeared to have a bullpen spot locked down, his pre-season performances haven’t done much to justify this. This afternoon, he struggled once more, as the first five batters he faced in the fourth inning all reached base, on three hits and a pair of walks. Three of them scored, and there were two more in scoring position. Chafin did regroup, with he and Tyler Pill combining to strand the pair of runners. But Andrew has struggled even against left-handers this spring. It’s his control which has been poor, with five walks in five innings, helping lead to seven earned runs allowed. We could do with better, shall we say.

The rest of our pitchers didn’t do too badly, at least. Kris Medlen got the start, though the fact he’s still only throwing two innings suggest he isn’t exactly being groomed for any imminent starting job. He allowed a hit and a walk, striking out one. Fernando Salas was the pick of the relievers, striking out the side in the fifth. after a lead-off single to G*r*rd* P*rr*. Salas has yet to allow a run over 6.2 spring innings, with a K:BB of 6:1 in that time, numbers which may get him a spot at the end of the month. Antonio Bastardo struck out two in the third, and has seven strikeouts over 4.1 spring innings, so he may also be meriting deeper consideration.

Not much going offensively for the Diamondbacks this afternoon. The team’s best chance for a big inning was likely the fourth, when singles by A.J. Pollock and Paul Goldschmidt put men on the corners with no-one out. Jake Lamb did get Pollock home, but the resulting twin-killing was more hindrance than a help. David Peralta drove home the second Arizona run, though the box-score says he singled on a pop-up to third-base, so I’m not sure how “driven” in it really was... The D-backs’ seven hits came from seven different people, and there were no walks or stolen-bases. We only had three at-bats with runners in scoring position all afternoon, so not exactly a case of opportunities being wasted.

Another day off for the Diamondbacks tomorrow - the next time they have one, will be the eve of Opening Day!