The Arizona Diamondbacks dropped their third straight game to the San Diego Padres
When it rains it pours folks.
A.J. Pollock did his best to bring the Arizona Diamondbacks out of their offensive funk with two home runs and a double, but it takes more than one guy to score runs.
The rest of the lineup was 1-for-25 against San Diego Padres starter Travis Wood and the Friars bullpen, and the Padres beat the D-backs for the second straight night, 6-2 at Petco Park.
Remember when J.D. Martinez carried the team for a week during an offensive dry spell? Well, it is Pollock’s turn to carry the baton. After tonight’s performance, Pollock now has 12 RBI, six doubles and three home runs in his last eight games.
Hopefully, Pollock can share some words of wisdom with his teammates. Other than Martinez and Pollock, the rest of the offense has taken the road trip off.
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A string of uninspiring performances continued on Tuesday. The Diamondbacks were facing a starting pitcher, Wood, who had given up 16 runs (15 earned) in only 4.1 innings over his last two starts.
At one point, Wood retired six Diamondbacks in a row and got through six innings having allowed just two runs. Wood actually knocked in as many runs as he allowed. The Diamondbacks were behind on the crafty lefties fastballs and the same was true for his breaking and off speed deliveries.
Double plays hurt the Diamondbacks all night. Adam Rosales, J.D. Martinez and Ketel Marte each grounded into a twin killing with runners on base. That kills the momentum of an inning. The D-backs only left two runners on base because they did not have any left on by the end of an inning.
Bad luck probably played a factor, but the end result is the end result.
The #Dbacks have 3 GIDPs tonight. Per @statcast the exit velos on them: 102, 103, 105.
— Steve Gilbert (@SteveGilbertMLB) September 20, 2017
The Diamondbacks had all day to prepare for Wood. They knew what he was going to offer. But when so many guys are not hitting it probably does not matter who the opposing starter is on a given day.
Arizona entered Monday hitting .190 as a team during the current road trip through San Francisco and San Diego. Now sitting at 2-3 with one game left to play, the D-backs are 3-for-26 (.115) with RISP.
Zack Godley did not have anything working for him tonight. He left his curveball up in the zone and could not throw strikes with his fastball. The right hander allowed five earned runs in five innings.
But the bottom line is the starting rotation has not been the problem. Godley is allowed to have an off night, just like the offense is.
But there is no excuse for taking a whole road trip off. That goes for the starters or the offense.
Also, the Diamondbacks need to find some answer for the middle innings when the game is close. With the score 5-2, Jake Barrett came on to pitch the sixth inning and gave up a run.
Here is the good news: the Giants walked off the Rockies in the bottom of the ninth. This means the Diamondbacks hold on the first N.L. wild card remains at 4.5 games and the magic number for home field dropped to 7.0 games.
Up Next:
The Diamondbacks will look to salvage the series finale. Robbie Ray (14-5, 2.74) faces Dinelson Lamet (7-7, 4.15 ERA)
Read our preview by clicking here.
"Arizona Diamondbacks open Padres series with loss behind Patrick Corbin"
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