Bullpen Baffles Frustrated Arizona Diamondbacks

Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Unable to complete the sweep on Sunday afternoon, the Arizona Diamondbacks fell to the San Diego Padres by a final of 4-3.

Donning their military appreciation camouflage jerseys as they normally do for Sunday afternoon home games, the Padres won it in the ninth against the D-backs bullpen of misfit toys. 

Each team’s starter wishes there were a few pitches that they could have back.

With the score knotted at one in the top of the fourth, catcher Rene Rivera let a ball past him, allowing the Diamondback runners to both scamper into scoring position.  Later in the at-bat, light hitting back-up catcher Tuffy Gosewisch lined a single into center, scoring two and putting Arizona ahead 3-1. 

Immediately after being handed the lead, Wade Miley gave it right back.  A two-out rally of two consecutive singles was followed by a rocket-shot of a double by back-up catcher Rene Rivera down the left field line, bringing in both runners and tying the game at three. 

Statistically speaking, Miley had a fine afternoon.  He went seven innings, allowing only three runs while striking out four, but with the D-backs offense in a season long slump, it will be difficult to pick up wins with that stat line. 

The one man seemingly prone to slumps is Paul Goldschmidt.  In his consistently brilliant way, he had another fantastic day at the ballpark.  In the fourth, he clubbed his fifth home run of the year into the sandbox, displaying how much opposite field power he possesses.  He also stole a base while going 2-for-3, raising his average to a team high .331. 

Also batting over .300 is shortstop Chris Owings.  Although his placement in the lineup on Sunday afternoon (fifth in the order) was more of a byproduct of the beleaguering lineup around him, he has shown the ability to hit the ball hard consistently.  Not to mention, his defensive wizardry should keep him around a while.

Kirk Gibson is an old school manager.  With that being said, it is baffling that he cannot recognize the dire situation in which he has been presented.  So rare has it been this season that the D-backs are in close games late in the contest, that no matter how many days in a row his best relievers have gone, they need to be pitching.

Albeit, Randall Delgado and Oliver Perez pitched the eighth and ninth—you can imagine how that went.  After becoming the victim of instant replay, the D-backs fell victim to the light hitting ways of Rene Rivera.  Nearly powering the ball out of the park to right field, his double put the super speedy Cameron Maybin over at third with just one out in the inning.

Even with the infield playing in, Maybin’s decision to break on contact was too much to overcome, easily beating the throw home and giving the Padres the victory. 

While in the grand scheme, winning two out of three in San Diego was a positive, the Diamondbacks are not in a position to be giving away games they can win. 

Next stop on the road trip is Milwaukee, the best team in the National League, record-wise.  Getting underway at 5:10 p.m., Mike Bolsinger takes to the mound to face the Brewers newest hired gun in Matt Garza.  Ryan Braun will not be available for the series due to his disabled list placement. 

This series pits the worst against the best, with not too many expecting the Diamondbacks to stand much of a chance.  If there were a time to start a rallying cry, Milwaukee would be as good as any.