AZ Snake Pit - Game #18: 4/26, Arizona Diamondbacks 0, Pittsburgh Pirates 8An unofficial Arizona Diamondbacks community and bloghttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47033/azsnakepit_f.png2015-04-26T19:33:44-04:00http://www.azsnakepit.com/rss/stream/82638382015-04-26T19:33:44-04:002015-04-26T19:33:44-04:00Diamondbacks 0, Pirates 8
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<figcaption>Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>This was a very long afternoon. And not just because it was a Jeremy Hellickson start. </p> <p>No, we could tell pretty much how this was going to go after the first inning. Hellickson loaded the bases without an out in the top half, then almost escaped by getting a foul out and K, then gave up a two-run hit. And when Arizona responded by Ender Inciarte singling to lead off the bottom half, he was thrown out trying to stretch that into a double. This set the tone for an afternoon where the offense couldn't buy a hit, and the Pirates had no such trouble with most of our pitchers. Hellickson ended the streak of quality starts, lasting only 4.2 innings, and being charged with four runs on seven hits and two walks, with six K's.</p>
<p>Andrew Chafin retired all seven batters he faced, but Oliver Perez and Daniel Hudson combined to allow six hits and four runs in their 1.1 innings of relief. The offense managed only three hits: Paul Goldschmidt reached safely twice with a pair of walks, but the Diamondbacks couldn't take advantage of seven free passes handed out by Pirates' pitchers. We were outscored in the series by a total margin of 14-2, and sank two games below .500 for the first time this season. We'll be hoping for much better, when the Rockies come to d</p>
https://www.azsnakepit.com/2015/4/26/8501017/diamondbacks-pirates-scoreJim McLennan2015-04-26T14:00:03-04:002015-04-26T14:00:03-04:00Game #18 Preview: 4/26, Diamondbacks vs. Pirates
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<figcaption>One of these things is not like the others... | Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Diamondbacks find themselves potentially being swept at home by the Pirates - the offense needs to wake up a sight more than they were in the first two games, </p>
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<span>Francisco Liriano</span><br>LHP, 0-1, 3.00</h5>
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<span>Jeremy Hellickson</span><br>RHP, 1-2, 4.58</h5>
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<span>Josh Harrison</span> - 3B</td>
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<span>Ender Inciarte</span> - LF</td>
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<span>Gregory Polanco</span> - RF</td>
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<span>A.J. Pollock</span> - CF</td>
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<span>Andrew McCutchen</span> - CF</td>
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<span>Paul Goldschmidt</span> - 1B</td>
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<span>Neil Walker</span> - 2B</td>
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<span>Mark Trumbo</span> - RF</td>
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<span>Starling Marte</span> - LF</td>
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<span>Pedro Alvarez</span> - 1B</td>
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<span>Jordan Pacheco</span> - C</td>
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<span>Chris Stewart</span> - C</td>
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<span>Nick Ahmed</span> - SS</td>
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<td class="td-last td-name">Francisco Liriano - LHP</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">Jeremy Hellickson - RHP</td>
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<p>Despite the outburst in the second game against Texas, this homestand has seen the offense sputter badly: held to a single run in three of the four games, and with an overall line of .222/.272/.274 in almost 150 PAs. The lack of power has been particularly disappointing: we've managed only one home-run and 26 of the 30 hits have been singles. Though I suppose we should be grateful we haven't been shut out to date: ourselves and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">Mets</a> are the only National League clubs who have yet to be blanked this season. Considering that happened 13 times in total last season to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a>, we are doing a bit better.</p>
<p>Part of the problem are the multiple black holes in the line-up. We currently have three regular players (more than 40 PA) who possess an OPS+ of below 30: <span>Tuffy Gosewisch</span> (27), <span>Aaron Hill</span> (20) and Nick Ahmed (8). There are only 13 like that <b>in the entire majors</b>; the utterly woeful <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brewers</a> are the only other NL team with more than <u>one</u> such everyday player, and even they still only have two (sadly, including <span>Gerardo Parra</span>, off to a .167/.186/.238 start). Now, you can't expect everyone on a team to be great, or even average, but when you have multiple spots in your order that are almost automatic outs, it means your good hitters MUST produce, day in and day out. It's a lot to ask.</p>
<p>Yes, it's still barely out of the first 10% of the season. But what's concerning is, I'm not sure how much upside we should expect. You can look at others among the 13, and say, "Well, <span>Chase Utley</span> isn't going to hit .125 forever." But Gosewisch and Ahmed have never hit major-league pitching at anything close to league average, and Hill's pull tendencies are now almost freakishly exaggerated: he has hit precisely two balls past the infield to the right of center so far. I think we need a better balance between pitching and offense: even during the current run of nine consecutive quality starts, we have a losing record, and that's because in the five losses we scored six runs.</p>
<p>Of course, saying we need more offense is one thing; <i>obtaining</i> it is another. Unless the <span>Brandon Drury</span> era begins a great deal earlier than expected, it's something I can' see changing immediately. This may just end up being one of the less-pleasant aspects of the 2015 season, which we just have to grit our teeth and accept.</p>
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https://www.azsnakepit.com/2015/4/26/8499687/arizona-diamondbacks-pittsburgh-pirates-previewJim McLennan