May 29, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (44) high fives teammates in the dugout after scoring during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
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It was a roller coaster. One series, the world was on fire and we wanted everyone gone. The next series, we’re reserving our plans for October. Our players reached peaks and valleys during this month and that only made our imagination run wild. Before we enter a month full of the promise of the MLB Draft, the speculation of an approaching Trade Deadline, and the return of future cornerstones to the club, we must take a look back at the month of May. Let’s get back in line for the roller coaster.
The month started on an awful note. The Dbacks were swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers and were shutout in two of the three games. That was the first valley and the causality was Evan Marshall‘s status as player in the majors, for now. Marshall lost two of the three games and would be sent down to AAA Reno a few days later. We haven’t seen him in a Dbacks uniform since.
The Dbacks were in need of an offensive injection and a trip to Colorado was just the remedy. Although Monday and Tuesday’s games were rained out, Arizona was able to play a doubleheader against the Rockies. The Dbacks won both games and had an offensive explosion in which they scored a combined 18 runs. This first peak was the birthplace of Mark Trumbo hitting in the #2 slot in the batting lineup.
May 13, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Addison Reed (43) talks with catcher Jordan Pacheco (31) during the ninth inning against the Washington Nationals at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Arizona would then maintain some momentum as they split a 4-game series against the San Diego Padres. Their next valley came in their series against the Washington Nationals. They lost two of three games and the rubber match was won by Washington after Addison Reed blew a save while giving up a game-winning grand slam. This performance was the final nail in the coffin and Reed was removed from the closer’s position. The low point of the month (and season) came when they were swept by the lowly Phillies.
The highest point of the season would come in the next series. It was a rare 4-game sweep of the Miami Marlins, who are in much terrible shape than the Dbacks could ever have nightmares about. The four wins saw Enrique Burgos and Brad Ziegler factor in as closer options, with the latter taking the job. Any momentum Burgos had built up has been derailed due to a stint in the 15-Day DL.
Apr 19, 2015; San Francisco, CA, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale (3) hands the ball to relief pitcher Brad Ziegler (29) during the seventh inning against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Arizona returned home and defeated the hot Chicago Cubs in two of three games. The club was on Cloud 9, winning six of the last seven games. Then they visited St. Louis. The Cardinals promptly swept the Dbacks in three tightly contested games. The Dbacks salvaged the end of the month and won a series over Milwaukee, taking two of three games.
In May, the Diamondbacks went 13-15. The losing record was the product of being swept on three different occasions. They were able to win four of the nine series they were involved in. At the end of the month, Arizona’s record stands at 23-26 and they are currently in 4th place in the National League West. The Dbacks are six games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers.