Sixth Straight Defeat Snakebites Arizona Diamondbacks

Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Losing for the sixth consecutive day, the Arizona Diamondbacks fall to a dreadful 4-14 on the season—the worst record in the Majors.

Misery seems to love company around the Phoenix area.  With both the Suns and Coyotes falling just short of a playoff berth, the Diamondbacks figure to take the anticipation out of the process and get the guillotine over with as quickly as possible. 

Not known for being world-beaters, the New York Mets came to Chase Field and finished off a sweep of the D-Backs by a score of 5-2, and it was never that close.  Suffering back-to-back sweeps at home, Arizona wraps up what was a 0-6 homestand.  To make matters worse, they are now 1-10 at home on the season.

Mets starter Dillon Gee retired the first 14 batters he faced before Martin Prado (dropped back down in the batting order) laced a double to centerfield to break up his chance at perfection.  While the Mets did not exactly thrive with men in scoring position (2-for-13), the D-Backs struggled mightily as well (0-for-5). 

Almost inexplicably, it is going on 11 days that the Diamondbacks have gone in between “quality starts.”  For those unfamiliar with the most overhyped stat this side of wins, a quality start is when a starting pitcher throws at least six innings and allows three earned runs or less.  Were that exact scenario to play out, a pitcher would conceivably have a 4.50 ERA, not exactly the definition of “quality.”  Although, for Diamondback starters, that would be light-years better than what’s happening at the moment.

With no disrespect directed at the New York Mets, the 4-8 hitters in their order featured Ike Davis, Andrew Brown, Kirk Nieuwenhuis, Anthony Recker and Ruben Tejada.  That combination sounds more suited for Archie Bradley down at Triple-A than up at the Major League level.  Yet, they reached double-digits in hits for the third consecutive day, highlighting how atrocious the Arizona pitching has been.

Getting all the glory yesterday was “Captain Kirk” Nieuwenhuis, but today the torch was passed on to backup catcher Anthony Recker.  Going 2-for-4 with the Mets sole home run of the day and an additional double, the list of questionably skilled players destroying the D-Backs is piling up. 

Having not scored for 18 innings heading into the bottom of the ninth, the D-Backs bats awoke momentarily.  For just a brief glimmer, optimism rang true throughout the yard when Aaron Hill and Paul Goldschmidt connected on back-to-back shots to bring the club within three.  Four batters later, Jose Valverde had slammed the door and danced all over Chase Field to let everyone know about it.

Statistically speaking, it’s quite possible that getting away from the desert is what’s best for the Diamondbacks.  Unfortunately, at that point, reality sets in.  The D-Backs are headed to Hollywood like sheep fed to the slaughter. 

The bright lights will settle on Chavez Ravine Friday night as the soothing voice of Vin Scully overtakes a press box high above the massacre.  Taking the mound will be Wade Miley, the only starter yet to prove he is capable of slowing down an opposing offense.  While Clayton Kershaw nurses his injury and collects his millions on the sidelines, Zack Greinke becomes the surrogate ace and looks to dominate the Arizona lineup once more.

Things do not bode well for the D-Backs; there is no hiding that.  Should things go dastardly awry out in Los Angeles and Chicago, there may be some significant head rolling upon the return home.