Cahill struggles again as Diamondbacks are swept by the Dodgers

Apr 13, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Trevor Cahill (right) reacts after giving up a home run to Los Angeles Dodgers batter Adrian Gonzalez in the third inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

This start was really important for Trevor Cahill‘s future with the Diamondbacks and in the rotation and he knew this going into the rubber game with the Dodgers. Well, he didn’t exactly do anything to get Manager Kirk Gibson and General Manager Kevin Towers to keep him into the rotation. He struggled once again with his command and his mechanics allowing 5 runs in 4 innings, he did strike out eight batters. Manager Kirk Gibson announced today that Cahill will be moving to the bullpen to work on his command and mechanics after falling to 0-4 with an era of 9.17.

Gibson talked about Cahill’s outing with MLB.com: “We all know [Cahill] has good stuff but he has been inconsistent,” Gibson said. “Everybody is frustrated and we understand. The team battled today. We got a lot of fight let in them and that part’s encouraging.”

After the game talking with MLB.com, Gibson was asked what has bothered him the most about the slow start and his answer was quite obvious: “The starting pitching. Is there a question about that?” he said. “We got five innings out of the guy today, four? That’s tough. If you would want one thing to go well it would be to get innings out of your starting pitchers. We’ve had way too many short outings.” These short outings have created a domino affect causing the bullpen to be ineffective. Granted the bullpen has blown 3 saves, but the starters get most of the blame.

Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez had a monster series and its safe to say he really likes hitting at Chase Field. He hit a three run home run to give the Dodgers a 5-0 lead in the third his fourth homer in four games. He drove in 1o during the series and now has 14 RBI’s which is third in the National League. Mark Trumbo hit his 6th homer of the season a three run shot to deep left and he continues to lead the National League in home runs and RBI’s with 6 HR’s and 18 RBI’s. Trumbo’s home run made it 8-5 at the time but once again it was to little to late.The Dbacks will try to right the ship toomorow night when the Mets come to town. Josh Collmenter will make his return to the starting rotation against Zach Wheeler.