The usually trusty Shelby Miller continues the blown lead trend in dramatic fashion surrendering back to back home runs in the bottom of the 9th.
Even if you were to watch a team take batting practice before the game with a pitching coach throwing meatballs down the middle, it is not automatic that you see players hit back to back home runs. Even with just the pitching coach, home runs are still not easy to hit in big league ballparks.
However, in the 9th inning of the game today while trying to protect a 4-3 lead, the Dbacks closer did just that and gave up back-to-back home runs and the Toronto Blue Jays walked off the Dbacks. Both pitches far from batting practice fastballs and both on Shelby Miller’s signature splitter, a pitch that has been so good for him this season.
Outside of the 9th inning, the Dbacks pitched a fairly complete game. Starting pitcher Brandon Pfaadt pitched well enough and only gave up 3 balls hit over 100 mph, although he did get a little erratic in the 4th inning as he hit 2 batters in the half inning as well as walking another. Accordingly, Torey’s patience with the young pitcher was noticeably short as he was pulled after facing just 1 batter in the top of the 6th inning. Pfaadts final line was 5 IP 2 ER and 3 K’s.
Outside of Miller, the bullpen actually did a good job of limiting the Blue Jays offense giving up only 1 run in 3 innings of work including fun new guy Kyle Backhus stranding the leadoff runner in the 6th inning and retiring the next 3 straight hitter. Flame throwing Juan Morillo came in and struck out the side in the 8th. Things were really looking up for this group going into the 9th inning. Especially after Miller struck out the leadoff batter. Things were good until they weren’t.
The obvious place to pin this loss is on Shelby Miller, however the offense mustered only 4 runs going just 3-12 with runners in scoring position. This loss was a combination of much of what has plagued this team all season; blown leads late in games and struggling to hit with runners in scoring position. Is it the offense’s fault for not scoring more runs and hitting with runners in scoring position? Or is it the bullpens fault for blowing a 1 run lead? Which are you more concerned about? Ill let the comments decide!