Peaks and Valleys Stalemate Dbacks

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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.

May 29, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (44) hits a double during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Paul Goldschmidt

If you’re new to Venom Strikes or Arizona baseball, then maybe you’re not in the know about our friend Goldy. We’re aggressively advocating his inclusion in the All Star Game as the starting 1st baseman and we have a compelling argument. Goldy had a monster May and he leads the Dbacks Players of the Month.

If it wasn’t for some guy named Harper, Goldy would have led the National League in home runs (10), slugging percentage (.750) and on base percentage (1.226) during the month. Goldy also came in second among National Leaguers in hits (38). He led the Dbacks in all those categories as well as runs (21), doubles (8), walks (22), and RBI (23). Oh yeah, he also stole three bases. Goldy’s home runs came in clutch situations, some in extra innings to extend the game, some were plain game winners. #VoteGoldy

May 31, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks center fielder A.J. Pollock (11) hits a triple in the fourth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

A.J. Pollock

If Pollock continues his play, he could be a potential candidate to appear in the Mid-Summer Classic in Cincinnati as well. We’ve argued his case as well. Pollock, just like Goldy, has also had some clutch moments. His best appearances include a 3-for-3 performance against Colorado in which he also walked three times and scored four runs. Pollock hit a pinch hit homer against Miami and the following day saw him produce a 3-for-4, four run outing. In a victory against Chicago, Pollock went 4-for-6.

Pollock came in 2nd among Dbacks in hits (34), doubles (6), triples (2), walks (9), and on base percentage (.361). Pollock has provided the Dbacks lineup with a consistent force, no matter where he’s penciled in. During the Trumbo experiment, Pollock had hit clean up. He’s solid bat and stellar glove is making it really hard to justify him taking any days off.

May 13, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Yasmany Tomas (24) hits an RBI single in the eighth inning against the Washington Nationals at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Yasmany Tomas

The rookie is starting to break out and we’ve advertised him as a potential National League Rookie of the Year candidate. Tomas had a career high 11-game hitting streak that has completely ballooned his season batting average to .320. In Philadelphia, Tomas smacked his 1st career MLB home run. In eight of the eleven games in the hitting streak, Tomas grabbed multiple hits.

Tomas also had six doubles and drove in 14 RBI during the month. Tomas appeared in 24 games in May and in 10 of them he had multiple hits. In four of those games, Tomas had three hits. In two games, he drove in three RBI. It’ll be interesting to see what happens when fellow rookie Jake Lamb returns from injury.

May 31, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Chase Anderson (57) pitches in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Chase Anderson

Although he was only able to notch one victory during the month, there’s no doubt that Anderson was the most productive starter in May. Anderson kept the Dbacks in every game he pitched and that’s all you can ask from a “5” starter. His solid play has solidified his standing in the rotation, even after Patrick Corbin‘s return.

In May, Anderson went 1-0 with a 2.65 ERA and 21 strikeouts. Of his six starts, four of them were quality starts. Anderson did not give up a home run during the month of May. His finest showing was his 8 inning victory against Miami in which he only allowed one run to score. In his first four starts of the month, Anderson allowed one run or less.

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