'We just didn't execute': Late miscues derail D-backs vs. Braves
ATLANTA -- Whether on the basepaths or in the field, avoidable mistakes have snake-bitten the Diamondbacks of late.
Arizona led for almost the entirety of Friday's contest against the Braves in Atlanta's home opener at Truist Park, but some late defensive miscues helped Atlanta steal a 6-5 walk-off win in 10 innings.
It’s the second time in as many games that the D-backs dropped a game in extras, following Wednesday's 11-inning loss to the Yankees at Chase Field.
Atlanta catcher Travis d’Arnaud was the hero as he led off the bottom of the 10th with a walk-off single, driving in automatic runner Forrest Wall from second base.
Manager Torey Lovullo said execution has been an issue for the reigning NL champions, who committed two errors on Friday.
“The guys got after it and played hard,” Lovullo said. “We were in a really good position to win this game, and we just didn’t execute. That’s really the bottom line. The Braves are a good team. When you give them extra outs in key situations, they’re going to react accordingly.”
With a 5-3 lead in the bottom of the ninth, the Diamondbacks were three outs away from the win column.
Reliever Kevin Ginkel was tasked with retiring Austin Riley, Matt Olson and Marcell Ozuna for the save.
It was not to be.
Riley led off by reaching first as his ground ball was kicked by shortstop Blaze Alexander, and a subsequent Olson double drove Riley in to make it a 5-4 game.
After Ozuna grounded out, sending Olson to third, Jarred Kelenic stepped to the plate as a pinch-hitter. Kelenic’s pop-fly to left field dropped between Alexander and Lourdes Gurriel Jr., allowing Olson to score the tying run and force extra innings.
Braves reliever Pierce Johnson shut down the Diamondbacks in the top of the 10th, setting the table for D’Arnaud’s game-winning single.
Alexander reflected on the costly error.
“It was a chopped ball up the middle and I went at it aggressively,” Alexander said. “I probably had a little bit more time. I just kind of took a hop of the chest and missed it. [It’s a] play I probably make 10 times out of 10 in practice. I just have to slow the game down and just field the ball and get the out.”
“Blaze is a young player and he’s a very good player,” Lovullo said. “There’s a lot of learning he has to do. These are going to be moments for him to pick himself up tomorrow and find a way to execute the way we know that he can.”
Kelenic’s game-tying pop-up double had an exit velocity of 80.1 mph and a launch angle of 62 degrees before it fell in no-man’s land.
“It was a tough play,” Gurriel Jr. said. “The infield was a little bit up and it was a complicated play. It was kind of a perfect placement.”
Strider struggles
The Diamondbacks got to Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider early. Ketel Marte hit a leadoff homer, part of a three-run opening frame against Atlanta's ace -- and Strider went just four innings, allowing five earned runs on seven hits, striking out four and walking three.
“It was four innings and 88 pitches against a premier right-handed pitcher in the National League,” Lovullo said about his team’s approach against Strider. “I was proud of our guys for getting out there and getting after it. I feel like we didn’t miss fastballs that were driveable. We walked in the box ready to hit. It was impressive.”
After Strider exited, the Diamondbacks’ offense went cold as five Braves relievers combined for six scoreless innings allowing just two hits.
After the game, the Braves announced that Strider is experiencing elbow discomfort and will go for an MRI on Saturday.
Henry rebounds
Arizona starting pitcher Tommy Henry, who entered the game with an 11.25 ERA after giving up five earned runs against the Rockies in his season debut on March 30, lowered his ERA to 7.00 after going five full frames, allowing two runs on six hits with five strikeouts. Friday’s start.
Offensive leaders
Gurriel Jr. went 2-for-3 with an RBI and two walks, and now has an OPS of 1.031. Eugenio Suárez went 2-for-5 with two RBIs, while Marte had the D-backs' lone homer.