The Arizona Diamondbacks continue to lose at home, and their season is spiraling out of control.
One could only wonder what left-hander Patrick Corbin of the Arizona Diamondbacks could do with a lead.
Per Corbin’s history this season, the trend continues to spiral downward, and there is no moment of comfort. Whether manager Chip Hale wants to play psychologist for this starter remains a matter perhaps for another hour, but the maladies continue to haunt and chase Corbin like a bad nightmare.
In his latest bout with futility, Corbin had difficulty getting out of the opening innings, and paid with another defeat. This time, the visiting Toronto Blue Jays jumped on Corbin for two in the first and another run in the second, and that carried to 10-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks before a Wednesday matinee crowd of 20,076 in Chase Field.
The defeat dropped the Arizona Diamondbacks to a home record of 17-35, and the team recorded only four wins at home in their last 16 contests in Chase Field.
Coming into the season, Corbin appeared to be at the height of his game. For five spring appearance, the native of Clay, N. Y. recorded a sparkling 1.71 ERA and a 2-0 record for five starts. Pronouncing himself prepared for the season ahead, Corbin was projected as the third starter and possibility challenging Shelby Miller for the spot behind ace Zack Greinke.
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As stellar as his spring results, the opposite immediately transpired. During his opening start of the season on April 6 against the Rockies at home, Corbin surrendered four runs in that game, and that equaled all of the earned runs he surrendered in his spring training starts. From there, the slide continued and, with the loss to Toronto Wednesday, Corbin has yet to win a game at home this season. He currently stands at 4-9 with a 5.38 ERA for 20 starts. His four wins have come in San Diego, at St. Louis, in Wrigley Field against the Cubs and at Toronto.
“I don’t see anything mechanically wrong,” Corbin said. “Just trying to get better. From my last start, I tried something different. I didn’t have a bullpen session, and tried a few different things. I have to do a better job of making pitches.”
After Darwin Barney opened the game with a bad hop single which eluded Jean Segura at second, Josh Donaldson jumped on a Corbin fast ball and sent a rocket beyond the right centerfield fence and into the swimming pool. Quickly, Corbin fell behind, and the Jays tacked on another run the following inning. Then, Corbin said he settled into a groove for a few innings, but the Jays broke this open with a two-spot in the fifth.
“Corbin is not getting ahead of hitters” said Hale afterward. “Those guys (in reference to the Jays’ lineup) are hitters where you cannot afford to make any mistake.”
Despite the fanfare and raised expectations beginning in the off-season, this season is getting uglier by the day. Heading out on a 10-game road trip, the Arizona Diamondbacks are now 15 games under .500, and sinking. Their home record is atrocious, and seems to get hideous by each game. This team is in a free-fall right now, and still has two more, painful months remaining in this now forgettable season.
On the road again
After an off-day Thursday, the Diamondbacks embark on a 10-game road trip. The journey begins Friday in Cincinnati with a three-game series.
In the opener, look for Archie Bradley (3-5, 4.37 ERA) to get things started. He’ll draw righty Dan Straily (4-6, 4.07) as his mound opponent. On Saturday, it’s Robbie Ray (5-8, 4.49) taking on righty Keyvius Sampson (0-1, 5.51). In in the Sunday finale, Zack Goldley (2-1, 5.31) opposed lefty Brandon Finnegan (5-7, 4.66).
Next: No timetable for Greinke
Then, it’s on to Milwaukee for four, and the trip concludes in Los Angeles with three against the Dodgers.