Snake Bytes 8/29: Shutout

Arizona Diamondbacks 0, Philadelphia Phillies 7

[D’backs.com] Mejía goes 6, but bats get blanked by Phils - Humberto Mejía had an up-and-down outing in his second start for the D-backs — but he would have had to be nearly perfect to give his club a chance on Saturday night at Citizens Bank Park. Unfortunately for Arizona, Mejía was not that and the offense managed just four hits behind him in a 7-0 loss to the Phillies. The 24-year-old right-hander gave up a lot of hard contact, including back-to-back homers in the third inning, though he ultimately battled his way through six innings. Mejía allowed four runs off eight hits while striking out three and walking one.

[Arizona Sports] Offense falls flat as Diamondbacks lose to the Phillies - Didi Gregorius hit three doubles, Kyle Gibson pitched six sharp innings and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 7-0 on Saturday night. Jean Segura and Odúbel Herrera homered for the Phillies, who entered play 5.5 games behind the first-place Atlanta Braves in the NL East. Eight of Philadelphia’s 12 hits went for extra bases. Bryce Harper doubled and drove in a run, Segura had three hits and Gregorius had a pair of RBIs. Gibson (10-5) allowed three hits, struck out three and walked none. The 33-year-old right-hander is 4-2 with a 3.16 ERA in six appearances, five of them starts, since the Phillies acquired him from Texas at the trade deadline.

[AZ Central] Youth movement has Diamondbacks staff continuing player development at big-league level - “We believe in development at this (major league) level, and the teaching never stops,” Lovullo said before his team played the Philadelphia Phillies Saturday at Citizens Bank Park. Lovullo met with his staff before the game to discuss what his expectations are and the importance of continuing to take the field every day and teach despite the club’s record and other circumstances. “The coaching staff has been unbelievable. They do go out there every single day and work their butt off to make these players the best versions of themselves,” Lovullo said. “We do depend on player development (department) in a lot of ways. We know that there’s a process that they follow. Once that player passes through player development and is sent up to us, that player development doesn’t stop.”

Around the League

[MLB.com] Mets retire Koosman’s No. 36: ‘I’m thankful’ - It was a special day for Jerry Koosman on Saturday evening at Citi Field. Koosman’s No. 36 was retired by the Mets, as he became the third player in franchise history to receive that honor. Tom Seaver (No. 41) and Mike Piazza (No. 31) are the others. Former managers Gil Hodges (No. 14) and Casey Stengel (No. 37) also had their numbers retired. Koosman’s family and former teammates, including Art Shamsky, Wayne Garrett and Ed Kranepool, were in attendance, as well as Piazza, who played for the Mets from 1998-2005. It was Piazza who introduced Koosman’s No. 36, which is now displayed at the top of Citi Field.

[MLB Trade Rumors] Pirates Release Gregory Polanco - The Pirates have designated outfielder Gregory Polanco for assignment. According to the team’s official media release, infielder Cole Tucker “is expected” to be called up from Triple-A to take Polanco’s spot on the active roster. The move comes less than a week after Polanco was placed on outright waivers, though he remained in the organization after no other teams claimed him. Today’s release officially cuts ties between Polanco and the Bucs, and the team will remain on the hook for the roughly $5.28MM still owed to Polanco — his remaining 2021 salary, and the $3MM buyout of his $12.5MM club option for 2022.