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Paul Goldschmidt’s bat started showing more signs of life on Tuesday, including his first home run of the season, a game-tying shot in the ninth inning off of Hunter Strickland. Unfortunately for Arizona, Andrew Chafin and Jorge De La Rosa combined to allow two runs on two hits and five walks over the final four outs of the game, allowing Andrew McCutchen to walk the Giants off and tie the series.
Arizona Gives Giants Too Many Chances
Patrick Corbin stalled out in the sixth inning. Alex Avila’s errant throw in the eighth allowed the tying run to score. Andrew Chafin and Jorge De La Rosa being unable to find the broad side of a barn in the eighth and ninth put more than half the lineup on the base paths. Despite late-inning heroics by Paul Goldschmidt, the Diamondbacks still managed to beat themselves on Tuesday.
Goldschmidt’s Bat Coming to Life
On Monday, it was a triple. On Tuesday, it was a game-tying ninth inning home run. There’s just something about San Francisco (besides Tim Lincecum) that gets Goldy’s bat going, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.
Jeremy Hazelbaker Traded to Tampa
It looks like Jeremy Hazelbaker could be taking over Stephen Souza’s old duties. The outfielder, who was designated for assignment on Friday to make room on the 40-man roster for Troy Scribner, has been traded to Tampa Bay in exchange for cash considerations.
Arizona Hitters Locking In with New Approach
Chris Owings and others have been showing increased plate discipline since late last season and it is paying off. Much of this seems to be due to a new approach to hitting the team has begun to embrace. Hitting coach Dave Magadan credits a team-wide shift in the way the Diamondbacks are approaching opposing pitchers. Now players are thinking of pitches as coming out of particular “tunnels.” Rather than telling himself a pitch has to be in a particular location in relation to the plate, he’s instead viewing it based on the angle it’s coming out of the pitcher’s hand. Additionally, Magadan is getting the analytics people involved.
Before every game, Magadan said he and assistant hitting coach Tim Laker will develop a plan that blends their own observations from video with data harvested by hitting strategist Robert Van Scoyoc and the club’s analytics department.
Around MLB
We may not like Ken Kendrick much here in Arizona, but even he looks like a saint compared to Jeffrey Loria, whose antics are still plaguing the Marlins.
Mets Rally Against Marlins to Set Club Record for Best Start
The Mets put up two runs in the eighth to tie the game and then two more in the ninth on former Arizona closer Brad Ziegler, to run theri record to a franchise-record best 9-1 to open the season.
Comeback Wins Making Brewers Must-Watch Baseball
Already favored by many to win the NL Central, the Milwaukee Brewers have managed to add even more excitement to their games with five come-from-behind wins in their quest to secure the division crown.