The Rangers didn’t so much win the game on Tuesday night as the Diamondbacks figured out how to lose it.
Diamondbacks News
Simply put, the Diamondbacks should have won this game, despite Taylor Widener giving up a three-run shot to Joey Gallo with two out in the fourth inning.
Kole Calhoun Has Interesting Night
Kole Calhoun’s night was filled with highlight room material, from a lead-off TOOTBLAN, to driving in the first run of the game, to a great defensive play in right field, Calhoun was all over the place on Tuesday night. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to carry the Snakes to victory.
Widener’s Pitch Count Struggles Continue
Taylor Widener wasn’t actually awful on Tuesday night. He simply wasn’t good either. Widener’s biggest problem was his inability to put batters away, a problem that is not new to him or to those who have been watching him for a while now. By the time Joey Gallo stepped to the plate with two on and two out in the bottom of the fourth inning, Widener had already thrown 85 pitches and was clearly gassed. Widener had already stuck Gallo out once in the game and there was still a base open to accommodate a walk. Torey Lovullo chose to let Widener pitch to Gallo, rather than turn to Brett de Geus with the bases juiced. That’s when Widener’s other boogeyman came out and bit him, as Gallo did that thing he often does crushing the ball and putting it in the seats. That was on Widener’s 87th pitch. The blast put the Rangers up 5-2 and the Diamondbacks were simply unable to fully recover, though they had already run themselves out of at least one run in the game.
Josh Rojas’ Altered Approach Paying Dividends
In what has been a garbage season, the evolution of Josh Rojas has been one of the few bright points.
Diamondbacks Clear a 40-Man Roster Slot
Per the team’s transactions page, the #Dbacks have released RHP Jon Duplantier. Can’t say I saw that coming.
— Jesse Friedman (@JesseNFriedman) July 28, 2021
Other Baseball News
11 Players Most Likely To Be Traded
The Diamondbacks’ Eduardo Escobar still ranks number six.
Cubs, Giants Discussing Kris Bryant
The Giants are looking to go all-in on their unexpectedly successful season. Kris Bryant would be one hell of a shot in the arm to replace the injured Evan Longoria who has been out since early-June with a shoulder injury and who is currently on the 60-day IL.
Have the Yankees Raised the White Flag?
The New York Yankees have traded relievers Luis Cessa and Justin Wilson to the Reds for a player to be named later, leading some to speculate that the Yankees are willing to enter seller mode at the deadline rather than chase the playoffs.
Astros Bolster Bullpen in Four-Player Trade
Kendall Graveman and Raphael Montero are headed to the Houston Astros from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for Abraham Toro and Joe Smith.
Trea Turner is Second Prominent Player to Test Positive for COVID on Tuesday
COVID just will not leave the Washington Nationals alone. Trea Turner was removed in the first inning of Tuesday’s game between the Nats and the Phillies after his Monday test result came back positive. Turner will now enter quarantine, leaving the Nats without a key member of the squad as they try to navigate what they will do at the deadline. Christian Yelich of the Milwaukee Brewers has also tested positive and is also headed to quarantine while the Brewers fight for control of the NL Central.