Snake Bytes 5/1: Chapter May

Apologies for the brevity this morning. Chorus was down for maintenance in the early morning when I am typically writing.

Diamondbacks 8, Dodgers 5

[D’backs.com] Pollock’s 3-HR power show too much for LA - For the first time in his career, A.J. Pollock went yard three times in a single game. None of them were of the cheap variety either. In the 2nd inning against Ross Stripling, he turned on one and hooked it just past the foul pole in left field for a foul ball. Not to be denied he stayed on the very next pitch and deposited it in the left field bleachers. Nick Ahmed also hit a ball farther than I have ever seen him hit one before onto the left-center concourse in the fourth. Arizona very nearly lost two of their outfielders back to back last night. Tony Cingrani hit David Peralta with a fastball on his right wrist in the 7th inning forcing him from the game. One batter later Jarrod Dyson had a nasty looking collision busting it down to first base, but he was able to remain in the game. Peralta’s x-rays on his wrist came back negative, so no, we won’t be seeing Yasmany Tomas in a Diamondbacks uniform again just yet.

“I heard what Roberts said and I think we’re kind of in the same position,” Pollock said. “We’re not really looking at the standings, it’s about playing every game. So, in that regard, I really appreciate what he said. You don’t look at the standings, you concentrate on what you’re doing as a ballclub and we’re winning games right now, so I think that’s our focus right now.”

[Arizona Sports] A.J. Pollock homers three times in D-backs’ win over Dodgers - Zack Greinke received plenty of assistance from home plate umpire Jerry Layne en route to a 10 strikeout game. The Dodgers were frustrated with the wide strike zone for much of the evening, and rightfully so. Greinke also went 2-for-2 at the plate with an RBI and a double to help earn himself the victory.

[AZ Central] Diamondbacks’ David Peralta ‘day-to-day’ after leaving Monday’s game with hand injury - It was difficult to not fear the worst when Cingrani hit Peralta on his right wrist in the 7th. The Freight Train immediately dropped to the ground in pain. It’s the same wrist that plagued him in 2016 ultimately resulting in season ending surgery, but the news was positive after the game. X-rays came back negative, so look for more updates closer to game time today.

“I think I got really lucky on this one,” said Peralta, who entered play Monday hitting .309 with five home runs and 16 RBIs. “I’ll be ready (Tuesday), hopefully.”

Diamondbacks News

[D’backs.com] Ray to DL with oblique strain; Bracho recalled - Left hander Robbie Ray has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 oblique strain after an MRI on Monday and will be on the disabled list for at least a few weeks. Zack Greinke missed 6 weeks in 2016 with a similar injury. The D’backs are still determining who will fill his spot in the rotation going forward.

“It’s not terrible,” Ray said of the MRI results, “but it’s definitely something that’s going to take a little bit of time to come back from. It’s one of those things where it’s really just how your body reacts to it. The biggest thing is not rushing it, not try to come back before I’m ready.”

[D’backs.com] Miller, Lamb, Souza on comeback trail - Nobody can knock on the Diamondbacks torrid start to the season by saying that they have been lucky in regards to injury. They are now down to 3/5 members of their Opening Day starting rotation, and were unbearably close to losing David Peralta and Jarrod Dyson on back to back plays Monday evening. Thankfully, Jake Lamb, Steven Souza Jr., and Shelby Miller are all progressing well in their rehabs and should provide a significant boost to the team upon their return.

[MLB.com] D-backs’ humidor already making impact - Count em. Four home runs hit between the Dodgers and Diamondbacks last night including two deep shots from A.J. Pollock and Nick Ahmed to left center. However, early returns show that home runs per game are down at Chase Field. Take a look at a comprehensive report at a still small sample size at Chase this season.

[AZ Central] Diamondbacks dodge Dave Roberts’ NL West crown claim - A day after Dodgers’ manager Dave Roberts proclaimed that the Dodgers would sit atop the NL West at the end of the season, Ross Stripling complained about how often Los Angeles has had to play divisional opponents to begin the season. No sympathy here. I don’t hear complaints from any other player or team in the division.

“You can say anything – I can say I’m going to be president tomorrow, you know?” David Peralta said with a laugh on Monday. “But good for him. It doesn’t bother me or anything. We just have to go on the field and see what it’s all about.”

Around the League

[ESPN] Power Rankings: How long can the Red Sox hold on to No. 1? - For the first time this season, the Red Sox, Astros, and Diamondbacks all received first place votes from ESPN in their power rankings, but Arizona stands pat at #3. CBS Sports moves Arizona to #2. USA Today puts them in a tie with the Astros for the same position. No movement on the Bleacher Report’s rankings, still at #2.

[Yahoo Sports] Brewers relief ace sets strikeout mark never before seen in MLB in dominant save - Brewers reliever Josh Hader, filling in for injured closer Corey Knebel, is striking out opposing batters in impressive fashion. On Monday, he became the first reliever in MLB history to register at least eight strikeouts in a game in which every out he recorded was a strikeout.

[Sporting News] Albert Pujols hit tracker: Angels star closing in on 3,000 hits - Albert Pujols is knocking on the doorstep of 3,000 career hits. When he finally gets #3,000, he will join Alex Rodriguez, Hank Aaron, and Willie Mays as the only hitters with at least that many hits as well as 600 home runs or more.