Arizona Diamondbacks open Padres series with loss behind Patrick Corbin
The Arizona Diamondbacks might have a problem with their offense, but a once dominant Patrick Corbin is showing signs of struggling once again
To start the series, the Arizona Diamondbacks dropped their second straight game in a 4-2 loss to the San Diego Padres.
A struggling first-inning version of Patrick Corbin reappeared. Before Monday night’s loss, Corbin had a 6.90 ERA in first innings this season. He had previously allowed 23 runs on 40 hits.
Monday was no different as Corbin gave up a ground-rule double to Wil Myers before walking Yangervis Solarte. Hunter Renfroe, in his return to the majors, smacked a 1-1 pitch over the center field wall and Corbin knew it was gone immediately.
Corbin stayed in the game to finish five innings. He gave up a solo home run in the second inning as well, but didn’t allow any other runs to score. The lefty struckout three batters and walked three batters.
However, with his performance declining as October approaches, Corbin could be a cause for concern for the Diamondbacks.
Another concern might be the offense.
Manager Torey Lovullo recognized some strengths and some potential weaknesses before the game. Lovullo moved a struggling Jake Lamb to the sixth slot in the lineup, while moving Paul Goldschmidt up to third and J.D. Martinez into the cleanup spot.
The change didn’t have a profound effect. Goldschmidt was hitless, but reached on a force out in the third. Martinez followed with an RBI single.
Lamb followed his recent 2-for-28 performance with a 1-for-4 performance on Monday, including a base hit and a walk.
The low point of the day came in the sixth inning when the Diamondbacks loaded the bases with one out and stranded all three runners.
All in all, the team only collected five hits, four off of Padres starter Luis Perdomo. They were almost completely shutout by the Padres bullpen.
Chris Herrmann had a fantastic game behind the plate, including throwing out two Padres base runners. But, the Diamondbacks also face a potential injury to David Peralta, who left the game with tightness in his right quad.
Again, the Los Angeles Dodgers lost so the Diamondbacks didn’t lose any ground in the divisional standings. The Colorado Rockies had the day off, so the Diamondbacks only lost a half game in the Wild Card standings.
Zack Godley will attempt to get the Diamondbacks back on track on Tuesday when he takes the mound in San Diego.
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