Grit Index: McCarthy struggles continue in D-backs’ loss to Rockies

Apr 27, 2013, 5:37 AM | Updated: 5:40 am

The Arizona Diamondbacks were unable to win back-to-back games against the Colorado Rockies, as they fell 6-3 Friday night in front of 28,801 fans at Chase Field. Starter Brandon McCarthy got the loss after allowing six runs in six innings of work. As for the offense, third baseman Eric Chavez and leftfielder Alfredo Marte had the team’s lone RBI. Arizona is now 13-10 on the season and 2-3 against the Rockies in the past week.

The Good:

The D-backs bullpen was able to come in and carry the load after McCarthy left the game. Tony Sipp, Brad Ziegler and Matt Reynolds pitched the seventh, eighth and ninth innings while allowing no runs on two hits. Heading into Friday night’s game, Arizona’s bullpen owned a 2.57 ERA, good for seventh in the league.

The Bad:

Starter Brandon McCarthy’s struggles continue. After five starts this season he’s 0-3 with a 7.48 ERA. Friday against the Rockies he lasted six innings but gave up six earned runs on nine hits with one home run and seven strikeouts. Opponents are currently hitting .360 off the 29-year-old compared to .267 in 2012.

Noted:

• Shortstop Didi Gregorius left the game in the seventh inning after getting hit in the head with a 93 MPH fastball thrown by Josh Outman. Gregorius was on the ground for a few minutes before walking off the field under his own power. The D-backs announced that Didi suffered a right temple contusion and will undergo additional tests. He is day to day.

• Despite Arizona’s offensive struggles Friday night, Gerardo Parra managed to extend his hitting streak to a career-high 11 straight games. Parra was once again in the leadoff spot and went 1-for-3 with two walks, a double and a run scored. Parra has reached base safely in 22 of 23 games and is now hitting .315 on the season.

• Reliever Matt Reynolds continues to do good work. He pitched a scoreless ninth and has fourteen consecutive scoreless innings dating back to 2012.

He Said It:

“I can really think about two bad pitches tonight that I’d like to have back. It’s the Tulo (Troy Tulowitzki) one and the home run. It’s just kind of the same thing, I still don’t feel like I threw anything near what the numbers said, I feel like I threw well. Did most of the things I need to do but for whatever reason, results-wise, it’s just not there.” — Starter Brandon McCarthy

Up Next:

The D-backs return to Chase Field to play the Rockies in the third game of their four-game series on Saturday afternoon. It’ll be a battle of lefties between Wade Miley and Jeff Francis. Miley is 2-0 on the season with a 2.77 ERA and Francis owns a 1-2 record with an ERA of 8.44. First pitch is at 5:10pm on Arizona Sports 620.

Follow @AZSports

Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Juan Nicasio throws to the plate against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game on Friday, April 13, 2012, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Colorado Rockies' Dexter Fowler (24) tips his helmet as he rounds third base after hitting a solo home run off Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Daniel Hudson during the first inning of a baseball game on Friday, April 13, 2012, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Daniel Hudson throws to the plate against the Colorado Rockies during the first inning of a baseball game on Friday, April 13, 2012, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Ryan Roberts, left, congratulates Justin Upton, center, and Miguel Montero, right, after they scored on a Geoff Blum two-RBI single against the Colorado Rockies during the first inning of a baseball game on Friday, April 13, 2012, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Miguel Montero rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run off Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Juan Nicasio during the third inning of a baseball game on Friday, April 13, 2012, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Juan Nicasio reacts after a meeting at the mound during the third inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Friday, April 13, 2012, in Denver. Nicasio was pulled after the next batter. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Colorado Rockies' Michael Cuddyer scores on a Ramon Hernandez two-run double off Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Daniel Hudson during the third inning of a baseball game on Friday, April 13, 2012, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Colorado Rockies' Carlos Gonzalez (5) and Troy Tulowitzki (2) celebrate being driven in on a Todd Helton two-RBI single against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fourth inning of a baseball game on Friday, April 13, 2012, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Colorado Rockies' Marco Scutaro (19) is forced out at second by Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ryan Roberts, top, during the fourth inning of a baseball game on Friday, April 13, 2012, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (2) eyes Arizona Diamondbacks' Ryan Roberts (14) before making the tag at second on an attempted steal during the eighth inning of a baseball game Friday, April 13, 2012, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Colorado Rockies' Carlos Gonzalez (5) is congratulated by teammates after scoring on a Todd Helton RBI double against Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Bryan Shaw during the eighth inning of a baseball game Friday, April 13, 2012, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Colorado Rockies' Todd Helton watches the flight of an RBI double ball hit off Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Bryan Shaw during the eighth inning of a baseball game Friday, April 13, 2012, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.