Dbacks vs. Rockies Roundup: The Good, Bad, and the Ugly
By Noah Dougherty
The Diamondbacks finished their ninth and final four game set this past weekend against the Colorado Rockies taking the first three before dropping the finale Monday night 4-2. While we’re really just holding on to a ‘mathematically speaking’ scenario of the Dbacks making the playoffs still, the loss yesterday pretty much ensured their season will end on October 3rd with game #162. Until then we can carefully watch how each player finishes their season and hope the club can finish with a record at or above .500.
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher
Trevor Cahill(35) delivers a pitch during the sixth inning recently.
Record Notes: The Rockies series marks the first four game series win of the second half for the Dbacks- they had split the previous five. Their overall record in these series was 20-16 with their only series loss coming early on against the Braves.
*At 77-76 the team is 5.5 back of the final Wild Card spot with just nine games remaining. One positive note is we could still finish with a better record than the Dodgers as they are just two games better than the Dbacks right now- that is, if we’re looking to celebrate a second place finish.
GOOD: Trevor Cahill took the loss on Monday but actually had the best outing of the four starters at Coors Field allowing two earned runs over six innings of work. It is the fourth consecutive start where he’s allowed just two earned runs and eighth straight start without allowing a homerun. Cahill will likely have just one more start but has pitched well in September giving us something to look forward to with the 24 year old right hander in 2013.
*J.J. Putz recorded his 31st and 32nd saves of the year against the Rockies without allowing a hit. He’s now converted his last four opportunities after blowing back to back saves on September 2nd and 3rd. He also lowered his season ERA under 3.00 (2.98) and continues to be very effective for the club as their everyday closer.
*Paul Goldschimdt collected six hits including two doubles and four walks in the series. He also scored five runs while knocking in three. If it seems like Goldie is involved in all of the Dbacks rallies lately it’s probably because he is. The first baseman has an on base percentage of .419 during the month of September.
BAD: Wade Miley wasn’t particularly sharp once again surrendering five earned runs in his six innings of work. His ten hits allowed are the most since he allowed ten on May 9th against the Cardinals- a span of 23 starts. Despite his 2-1 record for the month of September the rookie has an ERA of 5.76, more than two full runs higher than any of his previous month’s earned run averages.
*RISP. The team had relatively good success with runners in scoring position but they stranded 24 total base runners with two outs. In their loss on Monday they were 0-5 with runners in scoring position and stranded four runners with two outs.
UGLY: Rookie Patrick Corbin suffered his shortest outing as a starter lasting just three innings while allowing two homeruns and five earned runs. This coming off Corbin’s longest career start just five days prior where he worked eight strong innings against the Giants. September as a whole has been a bumpy ride for Corbin as the lefty sports a 5.91 ERA. He will have at least one remaining start this season.
*Takashi Saito turned in another poor performance on Sunday allowing three runs on four hits turning a six run lead into a save situation that Putz was able to come in and close the door on. Saito has struggled to string together successful outings and has watched his ERA balloon to 6.97. Saito’s off season acquisition from the Brewers had a lot of promise but nagging injuries to the 42 year old has all but ruined his season with the team.
NOTES: Jason Kubel reached the 30 homer milestone for the first time in his career and upped his RBI total to 90- the most by a Diamondback since 2010 when Adam LaRoche knocked in 100.
*Jason Kubel also recorded his 13th outfield assist on Saturday, a new franchise record.
*The 15 runs put up by the offense on Friday were the most in a game since September 24, 2011.
*Paul Goldschmidt’s Homerun Watch continues at 34 games and 119 at bats. He faces Tim Lincecum this evening who he has a .538 average against with four homeruns. Bring it Timmy.
*Brad Ziegler allowed a solo homerun on Monday evening marking the first long ball the reliever has given up since June 30, 2010- thanks to Nick Piecoro for the heads up on that one, pretty impressive stat.
*Josh Collmenter gets his first start since July 27th as he takes on Lincecum in the first of three games at AT&T Park.
Now bring on the Giants!!!
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