3 takeaways from D-backs' tight, rain-soaked loss to Pirates
This browser does not support the video element.
PITTSBURGH -- Saturday night’s game against the Pirates at PNC Park just didn’t have a great feel to it for the Diamondbacks.
The 68-minute rain delay after the top of the fourth inning certainly didn’t help matters, but whatever the reason, it ended up in a 4-2 loss for the D-backs, who will try to win the series Sunday afternoon against Paul Skenes.
“The game just didn't have a great flow or great rhythm to it, and that was a feeling I had in the dugout,” D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said. “I can't explain it.”
Here are a few things that stood out from Saturday’s game:
The offense didn’t have the best of nights
The D-backs came into the night having won eight of their past nine games, and the offense has been a huge part of that, as evidenced by the 72 runs they scored over that stretch.
On Saturday, they did a decent job of building a couple of innings, but they struggled to come up with the big hit when they needed it, going 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and leaving 10 men on base.
This browser does not support the video element.
Trailing 1-0, the D-backs loaded the bases in the fifth with no outs, but managed to only get one run across when reliever Jalen Beeks walked Joc Pederson to force home a run.
“Our guys have been smashing the ball and maybe [they were] a little anxious, maybe coming out of the zone a little bit trying to do too much with the bases loaded and nobody out,” Lovullo said. “We came away with only one run, but I’m not too worried about it. These guys are in a good spot.”
Making it interesting in the ninth
The Pirates brought in David Bednar to close things out in the ninth, and after the first two batters in the inning struck out, Arizona managed to put some pressure on the right-hander.
This browser does not support the video element.
Geraldo Perdomo doubled to right, Corbin Carroll drew a walk and Ketel Marte delivered an RBI single to put the tying run on first.
Bednar, though, managed to get pinch-hitter Alek Thomas to fly out to end the game.
“We put up quality at-bat after quality at-bat,” Lovullo said of the ninth. “With Marte at the plate as the tying run, I felt really good that something really juicy was going to happen. It just didn’t work out. So we’re going to flush it and be ready tomorrow.”
This browser does not support the video element.
Progress for Montgomery
It hasn’t been the smoothest of rides for left-hander Jordan Montgomery this year. He signed with the D-backs just after the regular season started, and he has struggled to find consistency ever since.
On Saturday, though, he was pitching well, save for a solo homer by Joey Bart in the second inning. That was the only hit that he allowed before the rain came.
This browser does not support the video element.
Lovullo’s policy is that if a delay lasts longer than 30-35 minutes, he won’t send a pitcher back out to the mound, believing it is too much of an injury risk.
Montgomery pushed back initially at first, but after the delay got longer and longer, it was clear Lovullo wasn’t going to budge.
“Definitely a step in the right direction,” Montgomery said of his outing. “Unfortunately, Mother Nature cut it short, but just keep trying to build off of it.”
This browser does not support the video element.
One of the things that Montgomery has been focused on is being more aggressive on the mound instead of aiming the ball. When he aims the ball, his arm moves slower and his delivery is not synced up. When he lets it fly, the timing works better.
“Really, you’ve just got to be confident and go out there and compete,” Montgomery said. “Unfortunately, it took me 15 starts, but I'm just going to build on it and be ready for it in five days. I’m just going to keep working as hard as I can and try to think less when I get out there.”