AZ Snake Pit - Game #59, June 4: Diamondbacks 5, Marlins 6An unofficial Arizona Diamondbacks community and bloghttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47033/azsnakepit_f.png2017-06-04T17:22:55-04:00http://www.azsnakepit.com/rss/stream/155009892017-06-04T17:22:55-04:002017-06-04T17:22:55-04:00Diamondbacks 5, Marlins 6: If only...
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<img alt="Arizona Diamondbacks v Miami Marlins" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/EZOlH7sQl6rEGoK8EKY8Ci_CF8Y=/0x0:4113x2742/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/55085785/692277188.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Hey, we didn’t get no-hit!</p> <p id="1xg4rU"><strong>Record: 34-25. Pace: 93-69. Change on 2016: +9.</strong></p>
<p id="OZF46p">This was an annoying loss, because it was one where the outcome could have been different, “if only” one of a number of things had gone the other way. Specifically, if only...</p>
<ul>
<li id="VAU3bO">... <span>Braden Shipley</span>’s hard smash down the third-base line in the second inning, with men on second + third and one out, had got past the infield.</li>
<li id="XFUYR4">... <span>Paul Goldschmidt</span> had started a double-play, rather than throwing wide of second</li>
<li id="Ak6y8C">... Goldschmidt’s double had been a little straighter. </li>
<li id="MTKDvg">... <span>Archie Bradley</span> had been able to retire <span>A.J. Ellis</span> on pitches one through thirteen of the at-bat.</li>
</ul>
<p id="cCc2T4">At least the no-hit streak didn’t continue very deep into this afternoon’s game. Precisely zero batters and three pitches, in fact, as <span>Daniel Descalso</span> doubled to lead off the top of the first inning. One out later, Paul Goldschmidt knocked to left-center, and the D-backs had a one-run lead. Braden Shipley, called up to make a spot start because Taijuan Walker’s blister issue still hadn’t quite resolved itself, worked a 1-2-3 bottom of the first, and things were looking good for the <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a>. Then the second inning happened...</p>
<p id="bMxHKC">There’s no doubt that Torey Lovullo would be one of the front-runners for NL Manager of the Year, if the season ended today. A team that <a href="http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/page/SeasonpreviewMLB_2017predictions/2017-mlb-experts-mlb-team-predictions">virtually nobody</a> outside Arizona expected to make the post-season, has the sixth-best record in the major-leagues. But Lovullo’s golden touch has turned a bit gold-plate over the weekend. Sending Zack Godley down might have worked out, had Walker been able, as originally intended, to start today. But we got literally no benefit from that move at all, as reliever <span>Silvino Bracho</span>, called up as an extra bullpen arm, did not appear in a single game before being sent down to make way for Shipley. And Shipley’s second MLB start this year didn’t go much better than his first.</p>
<p id="KHTNQJ">Admittedly, he wasn’t helped by the Arizona defense, a rare Paul Goldschmidt error factoring significantly into a three-run second inning for the <a href="https://www.fishstripes.com/">Marlins</a>. After a clean first inning, Braden walked the leadoff man in the second, and then got a ground-ball to Goldschmidt which could well have emptied the bags. However, Paul’s throw sailed way to the outfield side of second, and everyone was safe. Inevitably, the next batter hit what <em>would</em> have been a solo home-run, but was instead a three-run shot, and Miami had jumped out to a 3-1 lead at the end of the second. Shipley was fortunate to escape, getting <span>Giancarlo Stanton</span> to ground out firmly, with two in scoring position. </p>
<p id="R5W2Nu">Fortunately, the Marlins’ starter, <span>Vance Worley</span>, was also spot-starting and doing not much better than Shipley. The teams traded runs in the third, with the D-backs getting an RBI groundout off the bat of <span>Chris Owings</span>, but the Marlins answering with a sac fly in their half. And Arizona then took the lead with a three-run fourth. After Shipley had grounded out hard to third, with men on second and third, for the <em>second</em> time today, Descalso came through with a two-run double. He then traded place with Goldschmidt, who came back from 0-2 down, to smack a full-count pitch off the wall in center for an RBI double. Eight inches to the right, and it would have been a two-run homer. </p>
<p id="sWQDP2">With an off-day tomorrow, I was a bit surprised to see Shipley bat for himself in the top of the fifth, with two out and <span>Rey Fuentes</span> (who had three hits today - I clearly must write diss previews more often) on first. Braden couldn’t hold the lead in the bottom half, a lead-off double to Stanton coming around to tie the game. He then loaded the bases on catcher interference - like many. a call initially missed badly by home-plate umpire Kerwin Danley - and a pair of walks. But he got the benefit of a very high Danley strike three to escape. Shipley was done after five. He was charged with five runs (four earned) on seven hits and three walks, with three strikeouts. </p>
<p id="J3IA6H">The Marlins bullpen proved to be a great deal more effective than their starting pitcher. In fact, they tossed a total of 5.1 shutout innings, allowing two hits and two walks, while striking out seven. The last hit managed by the Diamondbacks was the one by Fuentes with two outs in the fifth inning. We didn’t get anyone past first-base the rest of the way. The only base-runners thereafter were Goldschmidt, who reached on an error with two outs in the sixth, only to be caught stealing, and <span>Chris Iannetta</span>, who walked with two outs in the seventh. Descalso and Goldschmidt had two hits apiece: together with Fuentes, they accounts for seven of Arizona’s eight hits.</p>
<p id="Vi9Ymp">The Diamondbacks’ bullpen was just not quite good enough. Jorge De La Rosa, Archie Bradley and <span>Andrew Chafin</span> combining to allow five hits and a walk over three innings. There was only one run allowed, and it came in the seventh, when Bradley was unable to put away A.J. Ellis. The hitter fouled off 10 pitches, clocked as fast as 100 mph, eight of them with two strikes, before finally floating the 14th pitch of the at-bat into left center for the go-ahead RBI single. It was the first time any D-backs pitcher had ever allowed an RBI after the thirteenth pitch of a plate appearance, and proved the deciding margin as the last seven D-backs’ hitters were retired. </p>
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<div id="bJdnf1"><p style="text-align:center"><b>Click <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/livewins.aspx?date=2017-06-04&team=Marlins&dh=0&season=2017" target="_blank">here</a> for details, at Fangraphs.com</b>
<br><b>Maleficent: Rey Fuentes, +17.8%</b>
<br>Wanted: Goldschmidt, +14.8%, Descalso, +10.2%
<br><b><i>Cyborg 2: Braden Shipley, -32.4%</i></b><i>
<br>Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life: Herrmann, -17.6%; Bradley, -13.0%; Owings, -10.0%</i></p></div>
<p id="72rCdf">Those present in the Gameday Thread were: BigSmarty, Diamondhacks, EphBoston, GuruB, I suppose I'm a Pessimist, Imstillhungry95, Jackwriter, Jim McLennan, JoeCB1991, Joey Lewis, Keegan Thompson, Michael Hahn, Michael McDermott, MrMrrbi, Oldenschoole, Renin, SongBird, TylerO, Xerostomia, asteroid, blue_bulldog, catbat, hotclaws, kilnborn, noblevillain, onedotfive, since_98, smartplays, thunderpumpkin87 and winger49, so thanks to them. Comment of the thread to Michael [it would be Sedona Red if I refreshed, but I trying to get out the door to see <em>Wonder Woman</em>, so bear with me there!]</p>
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<p id="v2Kx2H">An off-day tomorrow as the team returns from their longest road-trip since 2010. A series against the <a href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">Padres</a> starts on Tuesday, and we’ll be hoping that the D-backs can continue their excellent form at Chase Field. </p>
https://www.azsnakepit.com/2017/6/4/15737226/arizona-diamondbacks-miami-marlins-recapJim McLennan2017-06-04T16:43:37-04:002017-06-04T16:43:37-04:00Diamondbacks 5, Marlins 6
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<img alt="MLB: Arizona Diamondbacks at Miami Marlins" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/3Dm7U196q7dia8FMKVfZRm6eJps=/0x0:3617x2411/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/55085481/usa_today_10091189.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Arizona lost this one more than Miami won it</p> <p id="iQlPCL">Braden Shipley’s start went more or less as expected. He allowed five runs, four earned, in his five innings of work, on seven hits and three walks with three strikeouts. However, in his defense, he was not helped by the <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a>’ defense: in particular, <span>Paul Goldschmidt</span>, whose wild throw on what could have been a double-play ball, was immediately followed by a three-run homer. </p>
<p id="mKTWrs">However, the Arizona bats helped keep them in it against a <a href="https://www.fishstripes.com/">Marlins</a>’ starter who was not much better. <span>Daniel Descalso</span> had a pair of doubles, scored twice and drove in two during a three-run fourth inning that briefly gave Arizona the lead. But Miami tied it up in the fifth, and took the lead off <span>Archie Bradley</span> in the seventh, who allowed an RBI single on the 14th pitch of the at-bat. The D-backs could do nothing against the Miami bullpen, and dropped the game, the series and the road-trip. </p>
https://www.azsnakepit.com/2017/6/4/15737536/arizona-diamondbacks-miami-marlins-scoreJim McLennan2017-06-04T12:30:02-04:002017-06-04T12:30:02-04:00Preview, #59: Diamondbacks @ Marlins
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<figcaption>Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Keys to the game: avoid being no-hit, m'kay? Especially you, Rey Fuentes...</p>
<div class="pane sports_data_widget lineup clearfix">
<h3>Today's Lineups</h3>
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<table cellspacing="0">
<thead>
<tr>
<th align="left">ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS</th> <th align="left">MIAMI MARLINS</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="td-last td-name">
<span>Daniel Descalso</span> - 2B</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">
<span>Dee Gordon</span> - 2B</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-last td-name">
<span>Chris Herrmann</span> - LF</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">
<span>Giancarlo Stanton</span> - RF</td>
</tr>
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<td class="td-last td-name">
<span>Paul Goldschmidt</span> - 1B</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">
<span>Christian Yelich</span> - CF</td>
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<td class="td-last td-name">
<span>Jake Lamb</span> - 3B</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">
<span>Marcell Ozuna</span> - LF</td>
</tr>
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<td class="td-last td-name">
<span>Chris Owings</span> - RF</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">
<span>Derek Dietrich</span> - 3B</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-last td-name">
<span>Chris Iannetta</span> - C</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">
<span>Tyler Moore</span> - 1B</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-last td-name">
<span>Nick Ahmed</span> - SS</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">
<span>A.J. Ellis</span> - C</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-last td-name">Reymond Fuentes - CF</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">
<span>J.T. Riddle</span> - SS</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-last td-name">
<span>Braden Shipley</span> - RHP</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">
<span>Vance Worley</span> - RHP</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
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<p>I've gone through the five stages of grief with regard to Rey Fuentes. Or rather, six, because there's an extra one of "Vowing never to trust stats produced in Reno ever again". Because the man who batted .376 for the Aces is now hitting .337 as a Diamondback. And when I say "hitting", that's his <b>OPS</b>, not his batting average. If his season ended today - and with both <span>Socrates Brito</span> and <span>A.J. Pollock</span> well into their rehabs, it really cannot be far off - Fuentes's line would be .136/.156/.182, for that .337 OPS. It's an OPS+ of -13. Yes, that's a negative sign. For comparison, our entire pitching staff has an OPS of .,313.</p>
<p>It would be the lowest OPS by any position player with 40+ PA in <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Diamondbacks</a>' history, undercutting the .364 put up by <span>Tony Campana</span> in 2014. But, it has to be said, there have been MUCH worse elsewhere, peaking in <span>Eugenio Velez</span> who finished his career in 2011 with the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Los Angeles Dodgers</a> by going 0-for-40. He became the only non-pitcher ever to go hitless in a season with forty or more at-bats, though did pick up two walks for an OPS of .075. Fuentes isn't even the worst hitter in baseball <i>this year</i>. There are four with lower OPSs in 40+ PA - two of them on the <a href="https://www.royalsreview.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Royals</a> (<span>Raul Mondesi</span> and <span>Paulo Orlando</span>).</p>
<p>The current worst is <span>Jacob May</span> of the <a href="https://www.southsidesox.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago White Sox</a>, who made their Opening Day roster as a rookie. He isn't there any more, after starting his major-league career 0-for-26.. He was optioned to the minors on <span>May</span> 2, having hit .056/.150/.056 for a .206 OPS. In a case of dueling statements of the bleedin' obvious, May <a target="_blank" href="http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/19292377/jacob-chicago-white-sox-optioned-triple-a">said</a> "I definitely have to get better," while manager Rick Renteria told reporters that May was "a little overmatched". Fuentes is batting eighth in today's line-up, so we'll monitor the situation. It may be Fuentes's lasting place in Diamondbacks lore will be crashing into an opposing pitcher as he started a no-hitter against us.</p>
https://www.azsnakepit.com/2017/6/4/15736884/preview-arizona-diamondbacks-miami-marlinsJim McLennan