AZ Snake Pit - Game #45, 5/20: Diamondbacks 2, Dodgers 3An unofficial Arizona Diamondbacks community and bloghttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47033/azsnakepit_f.png2021-05-21T01:45:07-04:00http://www.azsnakepit.com/rss/stream/222106122021-05-21T01:45:07-04:002021-05-21T01:45:07-04:00Diamondbacks 2, Dodgers 3: YOU get a strikeout. And YOU get a strikeout...
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<img alt="Arizona Diamondbacks v Los Angeles Dodgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/g9MOMwM6oOFWTMZRB5gU8K4IYGs=/0x0:2760x1840/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69321452/1319153551.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Harry How/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>“I shouldn’t even be here today!!”</p> <p id="NaRNcX">Mr. Burt was feeling a little post-vaxxy tonight, so called in a pinch-recapper. All told, he could simply have got away with copy-pasting last night’s recap, and in all likelihood, nobody would have noticed the difference. Once again, the D-backs’ offense was unable to get anything much done, and consequently were swept in the four-game series. Since May 7, the Diamondbacks have posted ten losses, and not scored more than two runs in any of those contests. Put another way, the Giants scored four more runs TODAY than the D-backs have in their last ten defeats combined. With the team now 3-14 over their last seventeen games, the similarities to last year’s slump become ever sharper. </p>
<p id="RRdUpM">The Diamondbacks did have their chances to take the lead. In the first, Pavin Smith singled, and Josh Rojas doubled. The problem was that in between them, Ketel Marte, in his first start off the injured list, grounded into a double-play. Eduardo Escobar then also grounded out to end the inning, though hit it hard. His 103.5 mph was the hardest-hit ball by either team through five innings. In the second, David Peralta shot a pitch the other way for a one-out double. But Domingo Leyba and Stephen Vogt couldn't bring him home. The Diamondbacks remained at only one hit with RISP in the series - Escobar's eighth inning single on Monday.</p>
<p id="JJrUgA">Los Angeles took the lead in the second. Will Smith proved to be an enemy of the state of Arizona, legging out an infield hit that came off the bat at "Greinke eephus" speed i.e. 58.5 mph. Unfortunately, after a 1-2-3 first, Merrill Kelly served up a belt high pitch over the outer portion of the plate. Albert Pujols gave the Dodgers a 2-0 lead, going to the opposite field, and just speaking it over the fence. That was career home-run #668, just one less than his number of doubles.</p>
<p id="2NGCP2">There then began a spell of at-bats that showed up one of the main issues with the current game. Pujols' home-run took place at 7:44 pm. There was not another ball put in play for a full <em><strong>twenty minutes</strong></em>, until Max Muncy singled at 8:04 pm. In between those two at-bats, this is what happened:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Seven consecutive batters struck out in this game. <a href="https://t.co/2ZzmL46kt4">pic.twitter.com/2ZzmL46kt4</a></p>— AZ SnakePit (@AZSnakepit) <a href="https://twitter.com/AZSnakepit/status/1395580241695809537?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2021</a>
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<p id="v27wc5">Yeah, you wonder why I don't find watching baseball as much fun as it used to be. The above is probably one of the reasons. Over the entire course of the game, more than half of the outs recorded (27 of 51) had involved the hitter carrying their own bat back to the dugout. It's just not very entertaining. The balance between hitters and pitchers seems to have toppled over towards the latter. Or maybe it's just our offense, which has a realistic shot at the worst month in franchise history - though Coors is always gonna Coors. </p>
<p id="77Ksmn">Arizona’s streak of futility with runners in scoring position finally came to an end at 0-for-13, in the sixth. Marte punched one down the left-field line for a double. One out later, Escobar surpassed his earlier ground-out with a 104 mph hit (below), this one clearing the fence in right. It was his second two-run homer in consecutive games, and tied the score at 2-2. A couple of Los Angeles errors then helped put runners on the corners for the Diamondbacks. Perhaps surprisingly, the D-backs didn't pinch-hit for Leyba with Andrew Young. Or anyone. Leyba duly struck out: after tonight, he is 0-for-11 since his call-up. I guess the PEDs must have worn off... [Sarcasm font doesn't work in stories, sorry]</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">All tied up!<a href="https://twitter.com/escobardelapica?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@escobardelapica</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RattleOn?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RattleOn</a> <a href="https://t.co/jdHmnwcQ2p">pic.twitter.com/jdHmnwcQ2p</a></p>— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dbacks/status/1395588929391194116?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2021</a>
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<p id="EYYRk6">Outside of the homer to Pujols, Kelly had an excellent night through six innings. He had allowed five hits, but had walked nine, and needed only 80 pitches. But his first offering in the pursuit of happyness in the seventh, was dispatched by Will Smith for another homer, and a 3-2 Dodgers lead. Merrill then struck out the next three batters to finish with 12 strikeouts. That shattered his previous high of ten K's. He became only the third Arizona pitcher since 2004 with 12+ strikeouts and no walks in an outing. Patrick Corbin had a 12 K outing in June 2018, and Robbie Ray a 14 K start in September 2017. [Randy Johnson had ten such outings, Curt Schilling six. The only other such was by Omar Daal, of all people]</p>
<p id="NewaV8">Escobar put the tying run on base with a two-out single in the top of the eighth inning. He was lifted for a pinch-runner in Tim Locastro. Though Eduardo did seem to take an awkward swing during his at-bat, and that may have factored into the decision. Unfortunately, Locastro was thrown out trying to steal second, ending the frame. Tim only has one successful SB since coming off the injured list on May 3. As Jack mentioned in the Gameday Thread, he has not been a positive on the basepaths this year. And given he isn't hitting worth a damn ( OPS+ 52) either... Well, we haven't heard much from the "Let Timmy play!" crowd of late, have we?</p>
<p id="qDwG81">Joakim Soria put men on second and third in the bottom half of the inning, but was able to strand then, and keep it a one-run game. Not that it mattered. With the help of a blown call by Marvin Hudson ‐ not his first of the night - the Diamondbacks were retired in order. Arizona ended with 14 K’s, Los Angeles with 13. It was the ninth regulation length game already this season where both sides struck out at least thirteen times. There were NONE of them in the 2010-2012 seasons. </p>
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<div id="c8KwCp"><p style="text-align:center"><a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/livewins.aspx?date=2021-05-20&team=Dodgers&dh=0&season=2021">Click for details</a> at Fangraphs.com
<br><b>Obi-Wan Kenobi: Eduardo Escobar, +24.7%</b>
<br><b><i>Darth Vader: Merrill Kelly, -15.5%</i></b><i>
<br>Grand Moff Tarkin: Domingo Leyba, -12.9%</i></p></div>
<p id="dFUn6x">About the only positive was a lively Gameday Thread, which I genuinely enjoyed. I think, at this point, they are probably more entertaining than the games. Present were: AzDbackfanInDc, Diamondhacks, GuruB, Imstillhungry95, Jack Sommers, Jim McLennan, JoeCB1991, Jsch08, Michael McDermott, MrMrrbi, NikT77, Oldenschoole, Smurf1000, Snake_Bitten, Xerostomia, kilnborn and since_98. No comment of the night though: all the leading candidates got disqualified for one reason or another e.g. being GIFs and/or off-topic. I still enjoyed reading it. Probably more than the game, if truth be told. </p>
<p id="k8yMDF">It’s on to Colorado now, and the battle for last place in the NL West. Unless the D-backs can turn things around, they could leave Coors Field owning the cellar. First pitch tomorrow is at 5:40 pm Arizona time, with Seth Frankoff starting for the Diamondbacks. </p>
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https://www.azsnakepit.com/2021/5/21/22446830/diamondbacks-dodgers-recapJim McLennan2021-05-20T22:00:00-04:002021-05-20T22:00:00-04:00Gameday Thread, #45: 5/20 @ Dodgers
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<img alt="Star Wars “Phantom Menace” Toys" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/YENH9ePmlKOH0O6MvfPstPZRgbo=/0x0:2900x1933/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69320823/787790.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Evan Agostini/Liaison</figcaption>
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<p>On this day in 1999, Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace was #1 at the North American box-office.</p> <blockquote><p id="OliWom">Obi-Wan: But Master Yoda says I should be mindful of the future.<br>Qui-Gon Jinn: But not at the expense of the moment.</p></blockquote>
https://www.azsnakepit.com/diamondbacks-gamedays/2021/5/20/22446661/gameday-thread-45-5-20-dodgersJim McLennan2021-05-20T20:30:00-04:002021-05-20T20:30:00-04:00D-backs Preview #45: 5/20 @ Dodgers
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<img alt="Oakland Athletics v Arizona Diamondbacks" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/IAgdCGRPMCyS8Tgy4vnQ49K2-74=/0x0:4238x2825/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69320543/1312557095.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Saga of Yoan Lopez may be over, as he is replaced on the roster by Josh Reddick.</p> <div id="8DQk1r">
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<h3>Today's Lineups</h3>
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<td align="left">DIAMONDBACKS
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<td align="left">DODGERS
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<td class="td-last td-name">Pavin Smith - 1B</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">Mookie Betts - RF</td>
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<td class="td-last td-name">Ketel Marte - CF</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">Max Muncy - 2B</td>
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<td class="td-last td-name">Josh Rojas - SS</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">Justin Turner - 3B</td>
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<td class="td-last td-name">Eduardo Escobar - 3B</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">Will Smith - C</td>
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<td class="td-last td-name">Josh Reddick - RF</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">Chris Taylor - CF</td>
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<td class="td-last td-name">David Peralta - LF</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">Albert Pujols - 1B</td>
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<td class="td-last td-name">Domingo Leyba - 2B</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">Yoshi Tsutsugo - LF</td>
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<td class="td-last td-name">Stephen Vogt - C</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">Gavin Lux - SS</td>
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<td class="td-last td-name">Merrill Kelly - RHP</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">Edwin Uceta - RHP</td>
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<h4 id="KtewF4">Roster moves</h4>
<p id="hHkSrT">The Arizona Diamondbacks made the following roster moves: </p>
<ul>
<li id="Ylb1ML">Selected OF <strong>Josh Reddick </strong>(No. 22) from Triple-A Reno.</li>
<li id="6UV5wn">RHP <strong>Yoan López</strong> was designated for assignment.</li>
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<p id="zH8dmP">Interesting move, on the eve of a trip to Coors Field, to replace a reliever with a position player. But perhaps the move to a genuine outfielder is a reaction to the unfortunate events there last night, which may have cost the team the game. Reddick is a veteran, who is in his 13th MLB season. He has been an everyday player, appearing 56 times last year with Houston, and 130+ in each of the three before that. His best season was back in 2012, when he hit 32 home-runs for the Oakland A’s. His career OPS+ is 105, but the last couple of seasons have seen figures there of 90 and 88, and that’s probably about what I’d be expecting. Give me that, and competent defense, and I’ll be happy.</p>
<h4 id="fckbJI">Josh Reddick notes</h4>
<p id="XVHMKa">Josh Reddick went through a tough off-season waiting for an offer. He said it was frustrating and infuriating and said he’d be lying if he didn’t admit it made him angry. In years past he felt a player with his track record and post season pedigree would get a comfortable contract. But ultimately he had to humble himself and accept the things he couldn’t change. When the DBacks contacted him he jumped at the opportunity and had no qualms accepting a minor league deal. </p>
<p id="9WcQbu">He knew Torey Lovullo, having played for him 10 years ago in Pawtucket, and even told some stories about butting heads with Mike Hazen when Hazen was the Red Sox Farm Director. Reddick described himself as young and stubborn at the time and felt he could hit anything, even the “rosin bag” if you threw it up there. The Red Sox were trying to instill in him the Red Sox way, which included being more selective at the plate. He and Hazen worked it out quick, and went on to have a fantastic relationship. </p>
<p id="9tHkM4">He feels like he was put on this planet to play baseball, and he will play as long as his body allows him to, regardless of the level. On a personal note, Reddick is a HUGE wrestling fan, and is good friends with Rick Flair and HHH, and had some good stories to tell there as well.</p>
<p id="012903">Reddick gives a lot of great quotes, it was an engaging first interview which I can’t do justice here. Give him a listen, I think you’ll like it. </p>
<h4 id="dPJSel">Josh Reddick audio [<a href="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22529565/Reddick.mp3">or link</a>]</h4>
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<p id="ziQUxS">It may mark the end of the mercurial Yoan Lopez, whose time at Arizona included departing the team twice while a prospect. He never developed into the top-of-the-rotation starter the team hoped for, when Dave Stewart signed him to a deal which triggered international signing penalties. He did have a decent rookie campaign out of the bullpen in 2019, making 70 appearances with a 3.41 ERA, but the ERA and FIP have been going in the wrong direction since then. This year, Lopez has a 6.57 ERA and a 5.65 WHIP. The raw stuff is still there - he has struck out more than a batter per inning - so I’d not be surprised to see some other team take a flyer and see if they can harness the potential. Good luck with that...</p>
<p id="nZctgg">For those of you tuning in tonight to see Trevor Bauer pitch for the Dodgers: sorry. He has been held back until tomorrow, so he can go against the division leading Giants instead. It will be a bullpen game for Los Angeles against the “lowly” Diamondbacks. NBC Sports literally <a href="https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/giants/dodgers-push-trevor-bauer-back-start-vs-giants-friday">called the team that</a>. Admittedly, after being outscored 16-4 over the first three games, we can hardly complain. Arizona has lost 11 of the last 12 games against Los Angeles, and hasn’t scored more than three runs at Dodger Stadium since July 2019, a stretch which now covers nine consecutive games. They’re 2-16 over the last eighteen contests. So, yeah, “lowly” seems about right. </p>
<h4 id="1hCIVJ">Torey Lovullo notes</h4>
<ul>
<li id="6Gd66D">
<strong>Josh Reddick:</strong> A good baseball player who has played at a high level for a long time and this is a well deserved opportunity. He can play anywhere in the outfield, and could be slotted in RF, CF, or LF as needed. </li>
<li id="6jlNYZ">
<strong>Yoan Lopez: </strong>It was a difficult decision, and a difficult discussion for Torey to have with him. He spoke of some of the good moments and how they stick with you, so it was particularly hard for Torey. But ultimately,<em> “it’s really about consistency at this level and getting the job done.”</em>
</li>
<li id="3iCsmA">
<strong>Ketel Marte:</strong> He asked Ketel how he felt after the run down to first base last night and Ketel said he felt fine. The coaches felt he was<em> ”very controlled and got down the line just fine”</em>
</li>
<li id="etWuTa">
<strong>Seth Frankoff</strong> will start tomorrow in Colorado. </li>
<li id="iJLOGj">
<strong>Madison Bumgarner </strong>threw a bullpen today, but Torey didn’t have an update. However if he comes through that fine he’ll probably start Saturday. Sunday is still TBA</li>
<li id="m1277l">
<strong>Carson Kelly:</strong> No update as of yet. He’s feeling better and asymptomatic, but no info about baseball activity. There was some talk about getting him an orthotic from one of the writers. </li>
<li id="dkFZcX">
<strong>No Hitters: </strong> Asked what he thought about all the no hitters, he gave a long answer but it ultimately came down to Game Planning [DRINK !!].</li>
</ul>
<h4 id="JI2iK3">Torey Lovullo Audio [<a href="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22529566/Torey.mp3">or link</a>]</h4>
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https://www.azsnakepit.com/diamondbacks-gamedays/2021/5/20/22446574/d-backs-preview-45-5-20-dodgersJim McLennanJack Sommers