Arizona Diamondbacks: Four Takeaways from Game 2

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Apr 4, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Chris Owings (16) hits an RBI single against the San Francisco Giants during the fourth inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive Shortcomings at Second and Shortstop

Everybody knows that Brandon Drury and Chris Owings can hit.

Drury has started the season with four hits in eight at-bats, including three singles up the middle last night. Owings walked off the Diamondbacks on Opening Day, and he collected another RBI last night.

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Defense is another story. Brandon Drury is still learning at second, and Owings is a competent shortstop, but he struggles to make plays on baseballs in front of him.

Last night, Drury and Owings collected errors, of which one helped the Giants break the game open in the fifth. Drury misplayed a groundball in the third, putting Posey on first and Brandon Crawford drove in an unearned run with a double.

In the fifth, Owings tried to turn a double play at second before he had the baseball, and the ball kicked into center, allowing the inning to continue. The Diamondbacks have to make the fundamental plays, and that didn’t happen.

Drury needs a place to play, but Owings could move to the OF and Nick Ahmed could play SS. Yasmany Tomas has been a liability at the plate and in left field so far. He could get benched if he continues to hurt the team. Tomas is making a lot of money, which is the unfortunate part of the situation.