AZ Snake Pit - Game #56, 6/1: Diamondbacks 6, Mets 5An unofficial Arizona Diamondbacks community and bloghttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47033/azsnakepit_f.png2021-06-02T02:44:59-04:00http://www.azsnakepit.com/rss/stream/222280422021-06-02T02:44:59-04:002021-06-02T02:44:59-04:00Diamondbacks 6, Mets 5 (10 innings): Fashionably Late
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<p>Caleb Smith gave us a good starting effort, the bullpen didn’t completely bork it up, and some very timely offense allowed us to walk it off in extras....</p> <p id="rBudsH">Unlike many games this year, which have started well (or at least okay), only to go completely to hell in the last few innings, this one was just about entirely the opposite. Caleb Smith, who’s arguably been our best reliever so far in 2021, was released from the bullpen tonight to face off against <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">Mets</a>’ sinkerballer Marcus Stroman. Smith was efficient, effective, and aside from one unfortunate blemish, it could be argued that he outpitched Stroman.</p>
<p id="87GY5c">Things didn’t start off so great for Caleb, as he walked leadoff batter Jonathan Villar after a pesky eight pitch AB. However, no harm was done, as Villar promptly TOOTBLANned himself by starting toward second before Smith had actually started his pitching motion toward home plate. Easy pickoff, and Smith then retired the next ten batters he faced, extending to two outs in the fourth inning.</p>
<p id="o8eI5c">Meanwhile, the <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a> weren’t effective against Stroman, but they were making him work harder than Caleb was, recording a two-out hit in each of the first four innings. All those baserunners wound up stranded, but still.</p>
<p id="nQwL4r">Caleb Smith, as mentioned, was cruising into the fourth, having only thrown 38 pitches through 3<sup>2</sup>⁄<sub>3</sub> innings. He recorded the first two outs in the top of the fourth on three pitches, but then he gave up his first hit, a Pete Alonso single to left. Then, sadly, he left a slider right smack in the middle of the plate for Mets left fielder Dominic Smith, who promptly deposited it onto the home run porch in right center. <strong>2-0 Mets</strong></p>
<p id="2fTHf6">He honestly was starting to look a bit shaky, but he took the ball the start the fifth as well, and after surrendering a leadoff ground-rule double to some guy I’d never heard of before, he sat down the bottom of the Mets order on six pitches to complete the inning, It was a good outing: Smith’s final pitching line wound up being 5 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 2 K, and he only needed 58 pitches to do it. Not too shabby, really.</p>
<p id="7PVL7q">Sadly, in the top of the sixth, a little bit of bad bullpen happened. Joe Mantiply, who in seven appearances so far this year had been very effective, ended that. Villar singled to lead off the inning, and the extraordinarily well-paid Francisco Lindor hit a triple off the right field wall to score him. Mantiply then walked Pete Alonso inadvertantly on four pitches, and Dominic Smith launched another ball deep, this time to right. Josh Reddick made a nice leaping grab at the wall, but it was definitely deep enough to score Lindor. Mantiply then helped himself out with his glove, cleanly fielding a comebacker to the mound to start an inning-ending double play. <strong>4-0 Mets</strong></p>
<p id="U85dVR">Our offense, however, was still managing to do nothing much, to the extent I was starting to worry that I’d be recapping my second shutout loss in a row. But in the bottom of the sixth, I was rescued from that fate. Ketel Marte hit a leadoff single to shallow left, and Eduardo Escobar followed with a sharp single to right that was hit hard enough that Marte couldn’t try for third. It didn’t matter, though, because after a David Peralta strikeout, everyone’s new favorite Diamondback (maybe) Pavin Smith did this:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">AN ABSOLUTE TANK!!!<a href="https://twitter.com/Dbacks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Dbacks</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RattleOn?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RattleOn</a> <a href="https://t.co/GyCpl3WiF8">pic.twitter.com/GyCpl3WiF8</a></p>— Bally Sports Arizona (@BALLYSPORTSAZ) <a href="https://twitter.com/BALLYSPORTSAZ/status/1399932025742757888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 2, 2021</a>
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<p id="qrjzKM">It takes a massive dinger to get to the right field concourse on one hop. Wow. <strong>4-3 Mets</strong></p>
<p id="Va4BNs">Stroman got pulled after the sixth, so it was gonna be a battle of the bullpens, so I wasn’t optimistic. Mantiply pitched a scoreless seventh, though, and Joakim Soria actually looked really good pitching a scoreless eighth, and while Stefan Chriction did not look particularly good in the ninth, he managed to put up a zero despite surrendering a leadoff walk.</p>
<p id="PfVdvJ">Meanwhile, it looked a lot like the Mets’ bullpen was going to do the same to us. Jeurys Familia put up a zero in the bottom of the seventh, despite some traffic, Aaron Loup sat us down in order in the bottom of the eighth, and then the mildly terrifying flamethrower Edwin Diaz came on to close it out in the bottom of the ninth. Steven Vogt struck out, then Nick Ahmed hit a sharp single to right and advanced to second when the right fielder failed to pick up the ball effectively. Our last remaining bench player, Domingo Leyba, came to the plate, and his ongoing parade of futility continued as he grounded out to Alonso at first. This at least had the virtue of allowing Ahmed to advance to third. Still, two outs, bottom of the ninth, we know how this usually ends. But this time, thanks to Josh Rojas, it didn’t:</p>
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<p lang="lv" dir="ltr">JOSH ROJAS TIES IT!!!<a href="https://twitter.com/Dbacks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Dbacks</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RattleOn?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RattleOn</a> <a href="https://t.co/V7sPU4MKEd">pic.twitter.com/V7sPU4MKEd</a></p>— Bally Sports Arizona (@BALLYSPORTSAZ) <a href="https://twitter.com/BALLYSPORTSAZ/status/1399949439989686273?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 2, 2021</a>
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<p id="KBI9jz">Ketel Marte then hit his third single of the game, but Escobar flied out to center to send us to extras. <strong>4-4 TIE</strong></p>
<p id="gQY7W3">Andrew Young took the mound for the top of the tenth, with the obligatory runner on second, and immediately gave up a double to right off the bat of Mets pinch hitter James McCann. He sat the Mets down in order after that, but still. <strong>5-4 Mets</strong></p>
<p id="l1HWkm">Escobar was placed on second for the bottom of the tenth, but was unable to advance on Carson Kelly’s leadoff grounder to third. Yeah, Carson Kelly was in the game now, for whatever reason, and Steven Vogt was playing first base, and Pavin Smith was in left field. Not that it matters, really. Silly substitution stuff. Pavin Smith then drew a tough walk to give us runners on first and second. Josh Reddick came to the plate, and did this to the first pitch he saw:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Ballgame.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DbacksWIN?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DbacksWIN</a>! <a href="https://t.co/kVsZyyJFn3">pic.twitter.com/kVsZyyJFn3</a></p>— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dbacks/status/1399956212771221505?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 2, 2021</a>
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<p id="WeNcI3">The Mets challenged whether it was a fair ball, but the call on the field was not overturned. <strong>6-5 D-BACKS</strong></p>
<h3 id="EmI36E">Win Probability Added, courtesy of Fangraphs</h3>
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<p id="Wt7rSl">In honor of “Finding Nemo”:</p>
<p id="Felr52"><strong>Steamed King Crab Legs: Josh Reddick (5 AB, 2 H, 2 RBI, +60.5% WPA!!!)</strong><br><strong>Beer Battered Cod: Josh Rojas (5 AB, 1 H, 1 RBI, +27.3% WPA), Nick Ahmed (4 AB, 1 H, 1 R, +23.6% WPA)</strong><br><strong>Mudfish Tartare: Eduardo Escobar (5 AB, 2 H, 2 R, -34.4% WPA)</strong></p>
<p id="Zz00Vi">We had a very nicely attended Gameday Thread tonight, with 25 commenters supplying 331 posts. DC and Justin led the way with 54 and 45 comments respectively. All present and accounted for were: <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/AzDbackfanInDc">AzDbackfanInDc</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/DBacksEurope">DBacksEurope</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Dano_in_Tucson">Dano_in_Tucson</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Diamondhacks">Diamondhacks</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/GuruB">GuruB</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Jack%20Sommers">Jack Sommers</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/James%20Attwood">James Attwood</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Jim%20McLennan">Jim McLennan</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Justin27">Justin27</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Keegan%20Thompson">Keegan Thompson</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Makakilo">Makakilo</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Michael%20McDermott">Michael McDermott</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/MikeMono">MikeMono</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/MrMrrbi">MrMrrbi</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/NikT77">NikT77</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Oldenschoole">Oldenschoole</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Preston%20Salisbury">Preston Salisbury</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Smurf1000">Smurf1000</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Snake_Bitten">Snake_Bitten</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/TheGoldenSombrero">TheGoldenSombrero</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/TheOlser4">TheOlser4</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/chronicles_of_the_desert">chronicles_of_the_desert</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/kilnborn">kilnborn</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/since_98">since_98</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/therealramona">therealramona</a></p>
<p id="5L7ovy">Comment of the Game goes to kilnborn, with an assist from DBA. It’s the only one that turned Sedona Red, and it occurred after the game ended, but that’s perfectly fine, as it is both <s>a pun</s> good wordplay and an acknowledgement of how very good it feels to be starting a new month:</p>
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<p id="P30We9">So join us tomorrow for the rubber match, as Madison Bumgarner takes the mound against Mets lefty and another guy I’ve never heard of, David Peterson. It’s a getaway day game for the Mets, so first pitch is at 12:40pm. Also, it’s going to be streaming for free on YouTube, which means the announcers will be uniquely terrible, but still. Hope you can join us!</p>
<p id="WKbOyG">As always, thanks for reading, and as always, go D-Backs!</p>
https://www.azsnakepit.com/2021/6/2/22464462/diamondbacks-6-mets-5-10-innings-fashionably-lateDano_in_Tucson2021-06-01T21:30:00-04:002021-06-01T21:30:00-04:00Gameday Thread, #56: 6/1 vs. Mets
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<img alt="Land And Marine Animals In Philippines" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/qT9bc5I_FnKn0duQvnlm_P-sE2U=/14x0:4304x2860/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69375094/633077840.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo credit should read Andrey Nekrasov/ Barcroft Media via Getty Images / Barcroft Media via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>On this day in 2003, Finding Nemo was #1 at the North American box-office. </p> <blockquote><p id="yZXQqE">I am a nice shark, not a mindless eating machine. If I am to change this image, I must first change myself. Fish are friends, not food. </p></blockquote>
https://www.azsnakepit.com/diamondbacks-gamedays/2021/6/1/22464137/gameday-thread-56-6-1-vs-cardinalsJim McLennan2021-06-01T20:00:00-04:002021-06-01T20:00:00-04:00D-backs Preview #56: 6/1 vs. Mets
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<img alt="Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series 2019" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/SFeOl56zhHaU8-_Z34T6ZVTJr2E=/0x0:3500x2333/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69374740/1163660445.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Romina Amato/Red Bull via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Hello, June</p> <div id="FTkQli">
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<h3>Today's Lineups</h3>
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<td align="left">METS
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<td align="left">DIAMONDBACKS
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<td class="td-last td-name">Jonathan Villar - 3B</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">Josh Rojas - 2B</td>
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<td class="td-last td-name">Francisco Lindor - SS</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">Ketel Marte - CF</td>
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<td class="td-last td-name">Pete Alonso - 1B</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">Eduardo Escobar - 3B</td>
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<td class="td-last td-name">Dominic Smith - LF</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">David Peralta - LF</td>
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<td class="td-last td-name">Tomas Nido - C</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">Pavin Smith - 1B</td>
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<td class="td-last td-name">Billy McKinney - RF</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">Josh Reddick - RF</td>
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<td class="td-last td-name">Jose Peraza - 2B</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">Stephen Vogt - C</td>
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<td class="td-last td-name">Mason Williams - CF</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">Nick Ahmed - SS</td>
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<td class="td-last td-name">Marcus Stroman - RHP</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">Caleb Smith - LHP</td>
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<p id="PK53fQ">Hello, June. Here’s hoping you are a bit friendlier than May, though that won’t be difficult. It won’t be an easy start, either. The D-backs begin with eight games, four against division leaders (the Mets and Athletics) and the other four on the road against the 29-25 Brewers. There’s then a brief pause for the Angels... And then <em><strong>sixteen</strong></em> straight against winning teams, in the shape of the Giants, Dodgers, Brewers, Padres and Cardinals. If anything, I’d say the June schedule is perhaps even tougher than the May one. For the record, the 2004 D-backs went 10-17 in June, before their wheels fell off completely in July. But if Arizona can get ten wins this month, I think I’ll be pleasantly surprised. </p>
<p id="sTDATD"><strong>This evening’s alternative to the D-backs game. </strong><em>Cruella</em>. This is one of Mrs. SnakePit’s choices, so my attention may well drift elsewhere. The fact this supposed $200 million movie is going straight to streaming is a huge red flag. I don’t think I’ve liked any of those which have suffered that fate on HBO, e.g. <em>WW 1984</em> through <em>Godzilla</em> vs. Kong<em> to</em> <em>Mortal Kombat</em>, and Disney+ has been no better, with both <em>Mulan </em>and <em>Raya and the Last Dragon </em>being less than stellar. The point of a Cruella prequal, making her a sympathetic figure, largely escapes me. She’s SUPPOSED to be a villain, f’heaven’s sake. We’ll see, but I am not expecting anything as good as the first <em>Maleficent</em>, at least.</p>
<h4 id="LW2eRc">Torey Lovullo notes</h4>
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<li id="gM2ZbL">
<strong>Zac Gallen</strong> threw a 30 pitch bullpen today, threw all his pitches and felt good. If there are no negative after effects he’ll throw another bullpen on Friday. There will be further imaging in the coming weeks as they try to ramp him up. It sounds like he is still <strong>at least</strong> 3-4 weeks away. </li>
<li id="srfEr2">
<strong>Rotation</strong> starters have not been named beyond tomorrow, (Bumgarner) They are still TBA for the 4 games in Milwaukee and have not yet been firmed it up. </li>
<li id="vj7lIn">
<strong>Domingo Leyba’s</strong> rough start: <em>”A little bit of hustle to his swing, hustle in a way to me looking one dimensional to one pitch in one spot. I think good hitters, as he’s shown that he’s capable of being , are able to follow the baseball, follow the </em><em><strong>game plan </strong></em><em>and not be so one dimensional in showing one direction. It’s about hitting balls the other way, seeing the ball as long as possible, about changing your approach pitch to pitch, with the mindset to do damage when the pitch is in the right zone. As a young player goes, he’s trying to just do so much I think to impress rather than just going up there and controlling the at bat. </em>
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<p id="8G23kH"><em>I get the most fired up when I see young players continue their game planning, their stubbornness, and their routines when they get called up to the big leagues. I don;’t necessarily like it when young players come up here and try to do too much. The ones that stand out to me more than any others are the ones that are themselves immediately. </em></p>
<ul><li id="BxuqQp">
<strong>Christian Walker</strong> is fine health wise. Torey is playing matchups and feels that tomorrow is a better matchup for him. He and Pavin Smith will continue to split time at first base. Asked if Pavin Smith’s play has anything to do with slow playing Walker , and whether it’s a luxury or a complicating factor he said:</li></ul>
<p id="57lg61"><em>I think the more good players you have the bigger the luxury. They’re both very good players and they’re both going to play. We notice that Pavin is carving his way into playing every day, or playing a lot, just about every day . We don’t want that to stop. We feel like there’s going to be a good combination between he and Christian... we feel like they can complement each other and continue getting a ton of reps, a ton of at bats.</em></p>
<p id="mCnC0i">[NOTE: 70-75% OF pitches thrown in the majors are from right handed pitchers.<em> </em>The above sounds like a lot of words to say they are now in a platoon and the lefty is going to get the bulk of the playing time, although there are a few games with the DH in the AL coming up on the schedule too]</p>
<h4 id="rKfkAx">Torey Lovullo audio [<a href="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22553616/torey.mp3">or link</a>]</h4>
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https://www.azsnakepit.com/diamondbacks-gamedays/2021/6/1/22464005/d-backs-preview-56-6-1-vs-metsJim McLennanJack Sommers