D’backs vs. Yankees: Good, Bad & the Ugly Recap
By Noah Dougherty
The Diamondbacks traveled to Yankee stadium this week for the first time since the 2007 season and although they only show one more win this time around, the club was considerably more competitive and frankly could have won all three of the match ups.
In 2007 the club was swept by the Yankees while being outscored 18-4 and leading a total of one half of an inning the entire series. Seriously.
Arizona Diamondbacks right fielder Cody Ross
(7) singles to left allowing a runner to score during the twelfth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Arizona won 6-2 in extra innings. Image: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
This time around the D’backs led 2-0 in all three games heading into the fourth inning only to see their lead’s squandered in each affair. Fortunately, the team battled back after Putz surrendered the game tying home run in the ninth to catcher Francisco Cervelli to salvage the series finale by scoring four in the 12th inning.
Last season I did this ‘Good, Bad & the Ugly’ article following most series as a way to give our readers a quick recap of how the team is doing and some of the individual play, be it great or horrible. I try to find random little stats that I find interesting that may be missed otherwise. Hope you enjoy and feel free to comment below!
Record Notes: The D’backs improved to 9-6 overall on the season and are 5-5 in their last ten. They improved to 3-0 in extra innings games as well. In 2012 they were 3-4 in such contests.
GOOD: Patrick Corbin is an easy one for this section as he was completely dominant in his start Thursday night minus his one hanging slider to Robinson Cano who is dialed in at the plate right now. Corbin finished with seven innings of two hit ball while striking out seven. It was his third straight quality start.
*Paul Goldschmidt continued his strong April with five more hits including his third home run. While he is striking out in 30% of his at bats, the 25 year old is on pace for 32 home runs and 130 RBI’s as it stands just 59 at bats into the season.
*Didi Gregorius sent the first pitch he saw from Phil Hughes into the right field seats on Thursday making him the seventh Dback to homer in his first at bat with the club. He added a double later in the game making for an impressive debut in Sedona Red.
*Cody Ross enjoyed the most success at the plate while in New York finishing 7 for 14 with a double and the game winning RBI in the 12th inning on Thursday. Welcome aboard sir.
BAD: There are a couple guys who didn’t have a great series overall but did have some bright spots. However, for this exercise, I’ll mention a few in the ‘bad’ section.
*Gerardo Parra was just 3 for 15 while finishing 2-11 in the lead-off spot. Not exactly the production you’d hope for to open up a ballgame.
*Martin Prado was 2 for 13. He hasn’t hit a double in 11 consecutive games, his longest drought since going 12 games in 2011 without a two bagger.
UGLY: Cliff Pennington was the only starter without a hit in the series finishing 0 for 10 with five strikeouts and zero walks. The newly acquired shortstop who suffered through his worst season in 2012 is heading down a similar path right now as he has now gone hitless in 7 of his 15 games to give him a .218/.279/.255 slash line. His final 2012 numbers were .215/.278/.311.
*RISP. The team finished just 6 for 27 with runners in scoring position. This probably has something to do with the fact that they only scored two runs in each of the first two contests and had just two runs for the first eleven innings on Thursday before breaking out by plating four.
NOTES: Eric Chavez returned to New York and was 0 for 6 before singling in his second at bat on Thursday. He would later hit a three run double to seal the game for the D’backs in the 12th inning.
*The Diamondbacks have won all five of their series finales this season.
*Ian Kennedy will start Friday night in Colorado against RHP Jhoulys Chacin who is 2-0 with a 1.96 ERA this season.
Now bring on the Rockies!!
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