Defense Downs the Arizona Diamondbacks

Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Another day, another loss for the Arizona Diamondbacks, as they were crushed 9-2 by the Chicago Cubs Tuesday night.

It was not only the offense and pitching that befell the D-Backs, but the defense joined the party of being part of the problem.

While Brandon McCarthy didn’t pitch exceptionally well, he was not helped out by his defense.  Committing his fifth error of the season at the hot corner already, Martin Prado kept the Cubs bottom of the fifth alive.  The sacrifice fly off the bat of Nate Schierholtz that was the second out of the inning would have been the third, but just two batters later, young phenom Mike Olt unleashed a three-run home run that put the Cubs ahead 5-0. 

Throwing 99 pitches over the course of his five innings, McCarthy was doomed after Prado’s error.  Even with his seven hits and two walks allowed, he did strike out six over the course of his evening.  Had the fifth inning not continued, the pressure on the offense would have been loosened.

Answering back immediately with his first career Major League home run, was Tuffy Gosewisch.  The Arizona State product had an evening he’ll never forget when he took Jason Hammel deep at iconic Wrigley Field for his first ever long ball. 

While Hammel came over to the Cubs in an undetermined role, he has shown his likely value lies in being swapped for more incoming prospects at the Trade Deadline.  Of course, facing the Diamondbacks lately equates to an ERA lowering start.

Only the backup catcher, John Baker, did not muster a hit for the maligned Cubbies.  In a similar fashion to how the slumping New York Mets used a series against the Diamondbacks as an offensive springboard, the Cubs are pleasing the desperate Wrigley crowd.  Going off for nine runs and 11 hits, even the despair-accepting Cubs are hitting against Arizona pitching.

On the contrary, Cody Ross is doing nothing close to resembling hitting.  Back in the lineup, Ross contributed another 0-fer.  For the season, Ross is now 0-for-16 in his four appearances.  While his potential production would be welcomed, it will be interesting to see how long the already in trouble front office will hang on to giving Ross starts.

The one constant in the backend of the Diamondbacks bullpen all season has been J.J. Putz.  On Tuesday night, even he fell apart.  Nearly impossible to get the desired relievers work due to the fact that having a late lead is so rare, Putz had to pitch in mop-up duty once again.  Recording only one out, he allowed three runs on two hits and two walks, ballooning his ERA to match the rest of his ‘pen mates. 

There will be no rest for the weary, as the two teams get back at it at 11:20 A.M. tomorrow afternoon.  The lone bright spot on the entire D-Backs pitching staff has been Wade Miley and he will take the hill in opposition of the Cubs ace, Jeff Samardzija.  With the way the Diamondbacks have been playing as of late, an early start may be just the correct potion the doctor ordered.