Arizona Diamondbacks: Despite another solid effort, Godley remains on rotation bubble
By Mark Brown
With a win Saturday, Zack Godley of the Arizona Diamondbacks ran his home record to is 2-0 with a 2.16 ERA.
Among several reasons why Arizona Diamondbacks sought right-hander Zack Godley from the Chicago Cubs organization was his tenacity on the mound and his penchant for throwing ground balls. With a devastating sinker, Godley is consistent for keeping the strike zone right around the knees and his infielders busy.
In his start on Saturday against the Milwaukee Brewers, Godley appeared slightly off from his designated target. Of the 24 hitters faced, only seven hitters grounded out. Early, Godley left the ball slightly elevated and that proved deadly. That’s when Hernan Perez, the Brewers’ third baseman, smacked a two-run homer with two-out in the fourth. That propelled the Brewers into a slight lead, but Godley then settled into a groove.
By the time Godley left with two outs in the seventh, the Diamondbacks pushed the righty into a lead and went to earn a 3-2 victory over the Brewers before 40,195 in Chase Field. The crowd was the largest since an opening day sell-out (49, 016).
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With the victory, the Diamondbacks bounded back from a rare loss at home Friday. The prompted manager Torey Lovullo to place the win in perspective and laud the effort. Afterward, Lovullo told Venom Strikes that the win was an extension of the character and culture of his team.
"We rely on one another. This game was not easy and we went against a very good team. We hung in there and did enough to win. That pleases me the most."
With the win, Godley moves to 2-1 for seven starts and a 2.44 ERA. Overall, he allowed three or fewer runs in all seven starts. In Chase Field this season, Godley is 2-0 with a 2.16 ERA.
From the start, Godley seemed in control, but managed only two ground outs in the first three innings. Still, he pounded the strike zone with regularity and consistency. At one point, Godley hit a first-pitch strike to eight straight hitters until he missed the opening pitch to Eric Sogard with two out in the third. While his ball seem to sink with greater reliability in the middle innings, Godley told Venom Strikes he was not aware of the movement on his ball.
"I’m strictly looking at (catcher Chris Iannetta) and focusing on his glove. I didn’t look where the ball was coming out of my hand. The game plan is always the same. Keep the ball down and have them swing."
At this point, Godley is pitching as well as any on the staff and yet, his status is in jeopardy. That’s because Taijuan Walker may come off the disabled list shortly and Godley will likely be caught in the revolving door. That, he told Venom Strikes, is something out of his thought process, and his placement in the current rotation could be history.
"I can only control what I can control. If they have plans for me, that’s out of my reach. My mind-set as always the same. That’s to go out, pitch as well as I can and given my team a chance to win. Look, it is what it is."
Despite falling behind to Perez’s homer, the Diamondbacks managed to pull out another come-from-behind win. With two outs in the sixth and down 2-1, Chris Owings singled to right. After falling behind 0-2, Brandon Drury worked the count full and then hammered a two-run rocket into the left field bleachers for the win
From there, the bullpen of Andrew Chafin, Archie Bradley and closer Fernando Rodney (his 18th save) slammed the door, and Arizona’s 22nd come-from-behind win of the season was in the books.
Next
The series, and home stand, conclude with a Sunday matinee. This game features a marque match-up between lefty Robbie Ray (6-3, 2.85 ERA) and former Diamondback Chase Anderson (5-1, 2.94).
The Diamondbacks then embarked on an eight-game, three city road trip. This includes two with the Tigers in Detroit, three with the Phillies in Philadelphia and three with the Rockies in Denver.
"Arizona Diamondbacks: Iannetta powers latest victory"
The Diamondbacks return to Chase Field on Friday June 23 and begin a 10-day home stand.