Tuesday night was a perfect example of a bad team finding a way to lose.
Diamondbacks News
Zac Gallen had a nightmare first inning. Then, just when it looked like this game was going to be bullpen game #102 on the season for the Diamondbacks, the good Zac Gallen took the mound in the second inning. From that point, Gallen went five more innings pitched, allowed only three hits, only one run (earned), he walked zero, and struck out seven. More importantly, despite giving up five runs total through six, the Diamondbacks were tied with the Giants when he left the game. Then the errors came. A managerial failure by Lovullo that could have potentially resulted in Nick Ahmed standing on third as the go-ahead run with no one out in the eighth started things off. Then a bad throw by Joe Mantiply, two errors by Christian Walker and another “not-an-error”, also by Walker handed the Giants victory not once, but twice in the final two innings of the game.
Diamondbacks Fall One Rally Short
A rough first inning by Gallen left the Diamondbacks down by four after one. They tied the game in the sixth. They fell behind by two in the eighth. They tied the game again in the ninth. Unfortunately for them, the Giants pulled ahead again in the final ups of regulation play.
Ninth Inning Miscues Cost Diamondbacks
Gutsy performances from Zac Gallen and the offense were spoiled by miscues, both mental and physical, late in the game, demonstrating that really bad teams simply find ways to lose games.
MadBum Receives Standing Ovation
It’s been nearly two full seasons since Madison Bumgarner left San Francisco and signed with the Diamondbacks. So it is understandable if it slipped notice that last night marked Bumgarner’s first return to Oracle Park since he departed the team he made history with. Giants’ fans though, were well-aware and they greeted the man that led them to multiple World Series victories with warm enthusiasm.
In a move that should come as a surprise to absolutely no one, Caleb Smith has been bumped from the rotation and is headed back to the bullpen.
The Arizona prospect and 24-year-old Reno Aces pitcher talks about losing both parents and his journey through life.
Other Baseball News
Trea Turner Provides Highlight of the Week (probably)
Trea Turner’s scoring slide against the Phillies on Tuesday night is destined to become meme/gif fodder for years to come.
Bo Bichette: The Perfect Thief
Trea Turner may be the player with all sorts of attention on his ability to steal bases and make highlight reel slides, but it is Toronto’s Bo Bichette that is poised to join a very exclusive list regarding stolen bases, as he is only three more successful robberies from potentially finishing the season with a 100% success rate and 20+ steals.
What Fernando Tatis Jr. to the Outfield Means for San Diego
There is a great deal of pearl clutching regarding the situation that has long been on the horizon as a when, not an if. With Tatis’ continued injury troubles, the presence of Adam Frazier on the roster to play second, and the team’s shortstop of the future in Jake Cronenworth regularly demonstrating why Tatis’ days at short were numbered anyway, the Padres superstar is set to return to the team during their playoff run, only to play in a position he has never played at the professional level. Frankly, I suspect he and the Padres will be just fine.
The MLB Awards Race Debates (ESPN+)
The NL MVP race might be more wide open than it has ever been. The AL ROY race has no stand-out candidates. Vlad Jr. could potentially win secure the AL Triple Crown and lead his team to the playoffs – and still finish second in the MVP race.