D-backs 5, Dodgers 2 - Finally

Madison Bumgarner was making his 2nd start since returning from the disabled list, looking to show a little more than he did in his previous outing versus the Giants. He only threw 70+ pitches his last outing and was decent, allowing only two solo homers in 4IP. His velocity was still down, but it’s looking more like this is what Madison will need to work with going forward. His 2nd start was facing the Los Angeles Dodgers who have a surprising 93 wRC+ against lefties vs a 125 wRC+ against righties. So how did the Bum do?

He actually wasn’t too bad. Sure, he worked around danger in every inning, allowing a hit in each of the 5 innings he pitched today but never allowed the Dodgers to string together the multiple hits that have killed him as a D-back. The 3rd was a sore sight, as Corey Seager eeked a homer just over the left field fence for the first run of the game, and A.J. Pollock followed that up with a homer of his own to give the Doyers a 2-0 lead.

The offense matched the Dodgers and then some. The first 4 innings saw the D-backs get the leadoff runner on 1st but were unable to break through until seeing the Dodgers score in the 3rd. It was unfortunate Dustin May left after completing just 1 inning, as a comeback smacked him right in the foot to lead off the game.

Josh Rojas reached on a error to lead things off against Alex Wood and Josh VanMeter doubled to put runners on 2nd and 3rd. Newly shaven Christian Walker stepped up to the plate and delivered.

A two-run double down the line to drive in both runs to tie the game at 2 a piece. Unfortunately, he was left stranded as the veterans (Calhoun, Escobar, Peralta) couldn’t get the job done.

Bumgarner allowed a single and double to start the 4th, and somehow worked out of it. Austin Barnes flied out, and after Bumgarner intentionally walked Mookie to load the bases, induced a HUGE double play from Seager to get out of the inning. His 5th inning was much simpler, working around a 2-out walk before getting a grounder to end his night. He allowed 7 hits, with the 2 homers accounting for all of the damage done against him. At 93 pitches and not much to look forward to this year, his night was all but done.

The offense again responded in the 6th, with a Nick Ahmed 1-out single setting things up for Daulton Varsho, who unloaded on a split-finger for a smash that banged off the wall in right. Hernandez had trouble corralling the rebound, allowing Varsho to reach 3rd. The scorekeeper gave him a triple on that, which, alright then. Carson Kelly stepped up and tattoo’d a high fastball deep into the night, giving the D-backs a 5-2 lead. I mean come on, watch this.

In relief was Riley Smith, making his 3rd appearance of the year and was very wild. When I say very wild, I’m talking Robbie Ray wild. He allowed only two hits in his 3.1IP, with 4Ks and 5BBs. He worked into the 9th and grabbed the first out of the inning, but after an A.J Pollock walk, Travis Bergen came on to face Max Muncy and struck him out for out number 2, while Chris Taylor popped out to Ahmed to end the game.

The big WPA winner was Riley Smith with his 3.1 scoreless innings to secure the 3-run lead leading him to a .170 WPA. Hat-tip to Carson Kelly and Christian Walker, who showed up tonight as well on the offensive end.

Decent turnout for a Thursday game in a lost season, thanks for stopping by.

Coming up for the D-backs is another home series with the Mariners, who are fighting along the fringes of a playoff spot in the AL. Stop on by if you want, we’ll be here.