Bad News Diamondbacks Ride Again
By Thomas Lynch
Jun 16, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson (23) argues with umpire Ted Barrett before being ejected in the ninth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
The comparison did not come to me until the second three run barrage of Monday night’s 9-3 loss by the Arizona Diamondbacks to the Milwaukee Brewers. I said aloud and to my 9-year old son that this defeat reminds me of the Bad News Bears. Granted, the D’backs did not make the comedy of on-field errors that the Bears are famous for. It was how the loss unfolded that allowed me to make the comparison of the two teams.
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While Brandon McCarthy enjoyed a fine outing, allowing three runs in seven innings, the first Bears moment after the D’backs scored three runs in the bottom of the second to take a 3-2 lead. Leading off the third, Scooter Gennett deposited the second pitch he saw into the right-center field seats. This loss was not McCarthy’s fault by any stretch. In fact, he drove in two of the three Arizona runs in the previous inning. It’s just the way the Brewers tied the game, it was so Bears-like. Brandon deserved a better fate as his team consistently put runners on to no avail. After all, Arizona did have 11 hits for the game. Perhaps the Bears-D’backs comparison can be summed up by the eighth inning. Joe Thatcher started the inning and retired the first two batters. Will Harris came in and proceeded to walk Ryan Braun and Jonathan Lucroy, throw a wild pitch, allow a a two-run double to Aramis Ramirez and an RBI single to Khris Davis. Score is now 6-3. In the bottom of the frame, Paul Goldschmidt lead off with a single. Here comes an answer to the three runs, right? Wrong. Miguel Montero struck out and Aaron Hill grounded into a double play. Inning over. In the ninth, J.J. Putz came in to give up the final three runs, punctuated by a questionable call at third base on a stolen base by Elian Herrera, which led to Kirk Gibson‘s ejection.
The D’backs are now 30-43, having lost six out of their last eight games. Will Gibby be replaced by Coach Buttermaker? Only time will tell.