Jason Kubel prior to the game against the San Diego Padres. IMAGE: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

It’s no secret that the Diamondbacks are struggling to score runs. Some of that can be chalked up to their inability to hit with runners in scoring position, but there’s also another culprit: they’re struggling mightily against left-handed pitching.

With Jason Kubel, Gerardo Parra, Didi Gregorius, Miguel Montero, Eric Chavez and Eric Hinske all being left-handed batters, teams have been able to neutralize the Diamondbacks when they put a lefty-starter on the mound. With Adam Eaton set to arrive in Phoenix in the near future and AJ Pollock likely headed back to AAA, that will add another left-handed hitter to the lineup at the cost of a right-handed one.

Against righties, the Diamondbacks rank ninth in the majors with a .754 OPS. Against lefties, they rank 24^th with a .669 OPS. These splits are problematic and will continue to be so unless the team can make some adjustments. Currently, Kubel (.452), Chavez (.333), Hinske (.600), Montero (.657) and Parra (.658) are all struggling against lefties, showing typical platoon splits. Chavez and Hinske are primarily bench bats that face right-handed pitching late in games, but Kubel, Montero and Parra are expected to drive the offense. Gregorius has hit lefties well in his short time with Arizona, but showed some splits in the minors.

The biggest problem lies in the fact that the team doesn’t have a right-handed compliment to Jason Kubel. His only real value to the team is with his bat since his defense rates so poorly. When lefties take the mound, Kubel is effectively neutralized. Adding Adam Eaton into the lineup may soon be able to fix that defensive issue, but it likely won’t help much in terms of offense against left-handed pitching.

Look for the team to perhaps make a move in the near future to acquire a right-handed outfielder or bench bat with power that they feel more comfortable with than Pollock. Eric Hinske isn’t being used much and could be flipped or the team could put together a package around Pollock to obtain a player more to their liking. Selling high on Pollock might be a good idea and while he’s certainly a functional player, he may not be what the organization needs right now.

This team is in a win-now position and may need to do something to remedy this problem sooner rather than later. Triple-slaching .224/.303/.335 against lefties isn’t going to get it done down the line. With starting pitchers like Clayton Kershaw, Madison Bumgarner, Barry Zito, Hyun-Jin Ryu and others likely playing critical roles against the Diamondbacks down the stretch, a strong lineup against lefties is going to be critical. The Dodgers won’t stay in last place forever and the Giants aren’t going anywhere, so improvements must be made. While sample size and slow starts can account for some of the issues, a roster change may be the best solution.

Eric Chavez is a big reason why the D’backs have succeeded in spite of multiple injuries. Image: Jennifer Hilderbrand-USA TODAY Sports

Chavez has four home runs in 2013.  All of them came in pretty clutch situations, such as his pinch-hit blast in Colorado or tying the game last night against the Giants in the fourth inning.  Also, don’t forget his bases clearing double in New York which cemented Arizona’s only win against the Yankees.  Signed to be a backup to Martin Prado at third base, the six-time Gold Glove winner has already appeared in 19 out of the team’s first 26 games due to the injuries that have plagued the team this year.  Even when all of the D’back regulars return to the lineup, Chavez will still get his turns at the plate.  He will probably get at least one, maybe two starts per week and has already shown to be more than capable as a pinch-hitter. His outstanding defense continues to be an asset and will allow him to get into games he does not start many more times this Summer.

Chavez enjoyed a career revival in 2012 with 16 home runs in 313 at-bats with the Yankees.   His solid play has continued in the desert while working on a one year contract.  I wouldn’t be surprised if General Manager Kevin Towers tries to find a way to keep Chavez with the club next year as well.  His value to the current club can not be understated.

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Image: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

The D’backs were crushed throughout baseball for the trades that sent Trevor Bauer and Justin Upton packing this offseason. Yet, the main pieces in their haul in those trades, Didi Gregorius and Martin Prado, hit a home run each to give the D’backs their only two runs in the regular nine innings against the Yanks.

Then, after closer J.J. Putz gave up a game-tying solo shot to Francisco Cervelli in the bottom of the ninth, Cody Ross, whose 3-year, $26 million contract he signed this offseason was also panned, delivered the go-ahead single in the 12th to put the D’backs on top for good.

It was sort of a redemption game for GM Kevin Towers as the entire league watches Justin Upton hit home run after home run. Now, nothing can be taken from a one-game sample like today, but it had to feel good anyways.

In the third, Phil Hughes threw a fastball down and in and Gregorius turned on it, driving it out on a line to right field. The home run was Gregorius’ first in the majors and came in his first at bat, and the first pitch, as a D’back.

In the sixth, Hughes tried to go upstairs on Prado, who promptly drove it into the left field bleachers.

The Yanks scored their first run on another mammoth blast off of the bat of Robinson Cano, who was the only blemish on an otherwise outstanding outing from Patrick Corbin.

Corbin went seven innings, only gave up the one run on Cano’s shot, struck out seven and gave up two hits.

In the 12th, Gerardo Parra broke up an 0-for-5 game for him by leading off with a double to right center. After Prado flew out to deep center to move Parra to third, Paul Goldschmidt reached on a catcher’s interference, the second of the game, and Miguel Montero was hit by a pitch to load the bases for Ross.

One of the reasons cited for Ross’ signing in the offseason despite the utter depth of talent in the outfield at the time was his ability to be “clutch.” At least in this case, Ross proved that to be true by hitting a liner into left to score Parra.

Eric Chavez shut the door on the Yanks in the next at bat with a bases clearing double to make the final 6-2.

The win saved the D’backs from the three-game sweep.

The D’backs now travel to Colorado to face the red-hot Rockies, who have won six straight and lead the NL West with an 11-4 record. The pitching match ups look to be Ian Kennedy (1-1, 5.79) against Jhoulys Chacin (2-0, 1.96 and Trevor Cahill (0-2, 3.50) facing off with Jorge De La Rosa (1-1, 3.86). On Sunday, Brandon McCarthy (0-2, 7.47) will be on the bump for the D’backs against a pitcher yet to be determined for the Rockies.