Arizona Diamondbacks: Bullpen implodes, allowed three home run in loss

On Tuesday night, the Arizona Diamondbacks could not bail out starter Taijuan Walker.

There is one word which survives as a defining characteristic of this edition of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Resilient.

For most of their latest contest Tuesday night against the Atlanta Braves, that variable remained as the Diamondbacks mantra until this one quickly reached bottom.

What once was a tie match went south in a hurry. On a night in which starter Taijuan Walker deserved a better fate, the bullpen suffered an embarrassing implosion, and the Braves literally powered their way to an 8-3 victory over Arizona before 25,069 in Chase Field.

Down 1-0, and 2-1, the Diamondbacks picked themselves off the mat to tie both times, but the Braves unloaded four home runs within a three-inning frame. Catcher Kurt Suzuki slammed a pair and Matt Kemp and Johan Camargo each reached the fences to power the win.

A two-run throwing error from catcher Chris Iannetta seventh did not help as well, but once Suzuki took reliver J. J. Hoover over the right field fence earlier in the seventh, this one quickly spiraled out of control.

For most of this season, the Diamondbacks have been able to respond and show that tenacity. Not this time, and after the game, manager Torey Lovullo lamented to Venom Strikes that dimension was missing.

"“When we have been in this situation, the team has picked one another up,” he said. “We have not allowed crooked numbers. (Tuesday night), we were a little short in the bullpen and wanted to shut them down. Then, go to Archie Bradley and Fernando Rodney. We were up against a good pitcher (Mike Foltynewicz) and had breakdowns.”"

The bullpen meltdown prevented Walker from gaining a victory. Since coming off the disabled list with a blister his pitching hand in mid-June, Walker is 2-1 and four no-decisions, including Tuesday night. Prior to going on the disabled list May 20, Lovullo said Walker protected a growing blister and compromised on his execution. Walker agreed with his skipper, and told Venom Strikes after his start Tuesday there is a significant factor at work.

"“Now, I have confidence and trust my pitches,” he said. “My fast ball command is good and that was working (Tuesday night). We preach going seven shut down innings, and (against the Braves), I didn’t shut down that sixth inning.”"

In the Atlanta sixth, Kemp unloaded his solo shot with two out and that gave the Braves a slight 2-1 lead. When Chris Owings doubled in J. D. Martinez to break an 0-23 slump, the Diamondbacks knotted this one and handed the ball to the bullpen.