After enduring a combined run differential of -19 in consecutive blowout losses, the Diamondbacks salvaged a series split by defeating the San Diego Padres 9-3 on Sunday.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!A six-run 2nd inning propelled the Diamondbacks back into the win column. Entering the inning tied 1-1, Kevin Newman’s infield single sparked the rally. Joc Pederson’s two-RBI single made it 3-1, followed by Lourdes Gurriel Jr. clearing the bases with a double, making it 5-1. Jake McCarthy then lined a home run to right field, giving the D-backs a six-run lead.
Jake McCarthy caps off a 6-run 2nd for the @Dbacks! pic.twitter.com/XUN2AACmHE
— MLB (@MLB) June 9, 2024
The Diamondbacks added a few more runs in the 4th inning, and no team would score after that rally. Arizona had five different players record a multi-hit game: Corbin Carroll, Cristian Walker, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Jake McCarthy, and Kevin Newman.
Postgame, Jake McCarthy spoke with Todd Walsh on the Dbacks television broadcast about the importance of the win, noting, “We got out butt kicks the last two nights but it’s just part of it, you gotta show up everyday and do your best. So I’m glad we got out to a lead pretty early in this one, just a nice change of pace for us.”
The Diamondbacks did not lead for a single inning over their last two losses.
McCarthy also talked about the D-backs’ success with runners in scoring position (8-16): “I think it’s a team effort to be consistent, you know, not everybody is gonna come through, but you just gotta treat it like every other at bat. What I mean by that is you know sticking to our approach, not trying to do too much… Just sticking to the basics.”
Jake reached base four times, including a homer, a pair of base hits, and a walk.
Defensively, the Diamondbacks opted for a bullpen game after having to use position players on the mound the previous night.
Although Tommy Henry was credited with the win, as he tossed 2.1 innings while allowing two earned runs, it was the combined efforts of Kevin Ginkel, Joe Mantiply, Justin Martinez, Ryne Thompson, and Bryce Jarvis that produced six shutout innings, allowing the Diamondbacks to hold on to their 9-3 lead.
Justin Martinez has now tossed 17.2 consecutive shutout innings, and Bryce Jarvis needed only five pitches to wrap things up in the 9th.
Luis Arraez was held to an 0-5 performance at the plate for the first time since June 16th of last year. His batting average, which still leads all of baseball, dipped from .337 to .331.
Split the series in SD. ???? pic.twitter.com/uW2ZkzjC6Z
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) June 9, 2024
Manager Torey Lovullo claimed on the Diamondbacks postgame broadcast that the game was in the “midseason must-win category.” He was also extremely proud in his team’s ability to bounce back from a disastrous Saturday night.
Speaking about the stress a bullpen game brings to a manager, Lovullo pointed out, “Mentally exhausted, and we had a rested pen, we have a day off tomorrow, it’s the end of 13 straight days of just grinding out baseball games.”
The Diamondbacks posted a record of 6-7 during this 13-game stretch, with only three of those games at home.
Next up for Arizona is a six-game homestand, starting with a three-game series against the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday. Jordan Montgomery is currently scheduled to start on the mound for the D-backs.
