Arizona Diamondbacks: Delgado remains in the rotation

Right-hander Randall Delgado will remain in the starting rotation of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

As of late Friday, a decision loomed. At that time, it was still undetermined whether right-hander Randall Delgado of the Arizona Diamondbacks retained a spot start or continued auditioning to replace Shelby Miller in the starting rotation.

That question is no longer open-ended for manager Torey Lovullo told Venom Strikes after the Diamondbacks dropped an 8-6 decision to the Milwaukee Brewers before 25,009 Friday night in Chase Field that decision has been made. At least, for the immediate future.

Directly, Lovullo pointed out that Delgado will remain in the rotation. Despite Delgado allowing four runs in five innings of work Friday night, Lovullo told Venom Strikes that one poor outing will not impact the decision.

"We look to keep Randall in the rotation. There will be one of those moments, and it happens to all players. One bad outing will not influence what we do. (Delgado) deserves to stay where he is."

Regarding the defeat, the loss snapped a nine-game home winning streak. The Diamondbacks had not lost at home since May 14. That’s when they dropped an extra inning contest to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Coming into his start Friday night, Delgado sported a 1.80 ERA in his previous three starts, and a 1.24 ERA over his last 10 appearances. Paired with Archie Bradley in the bullpen, the logical and rational choice would leave Delgado in the pen and move Zack Godley into the rotation.

Godley has another audition Saturday in Chase Field against the Brewers.

More from Diamondbacks News

Factor in the progress Taijuan Walker is making in his recovery from a blister on his pitching hand, and Lovullo could be down to one decision among starters. Then again, the Diamondbacks have three days off in the next two weeks and that gives Lovullo room to be flexible.

Still, the Arizona manager pointed out Delgado will remain in the rotation. Though this was not said after Friday’s loss to the Brewers, Godley could be optioned back to Triple-A Reno and make room for Walker to rejoin the rotation

In the meantime, the role for Delgado changed. Working out of the bullpen for an inning or parts of two innings over the past two seasons, the native of Panama is now stretched out. Against Milwaukee, Delgado tossed 92 and 59 for strikes. That represented the second highest pitch count of the season. Delgado threw 93 pitches in his previous start at Miami.

That latest consequence was of little concern, Delgado told Venom Strikes.

"You concentrate so much that you don’t think about it. I feel fine now, but maybe not tomorrow. I missed a few spots early the game and they hit me. But, I felt good and I’ll keep doing the same thing."

Here, Delgado referenced a three-run, first inning. After Eric Sogard popped to second to opened the game, four of the next five hitters reached base and three scored. Jake Lamb’s three-run homer in the bottom of the first tied the game, but eventually the Brewers tacked a pair of runs in each of the sixth and seventh inning and that helped gain the win.

With the Los Angeles Dodgers and Colorado Rockies each winning Friday, the Diamondbacks now drop three games behind the first place Rox. Coming into play Saturday, the Dodgers are 2.5 games out of first place.

Next

The series with Milwaukee continues. On Saturday, look for righty Zack Godley (1-1, 2.39) to take on righty Junior Guerra (1-0, 1.83). For the home stand and series finale Sunday afternoon, lefty Robbie Ray (6-3, 2.85) faces former Diamondback Chase Anderson (5-1, 2.94).

"Arizona Diamondbacks: Iannetta powers latest victory"

Arizona then hits the road for a three city, eight game trip. Stops include two in Detroit, three in Philadelphia and three with the National League West Division-leading Rockies in Denver.

Home/Diamondbacks News