Grit Index: D-backs on wrong end of second blowout of series vs. Padres

One night after pounding the San Diego Padres 10-0 behind Randall Delgado’s complete game shutout, the Arizona Diamondbacks were dealt a reciprocative beating by their opponent on Saturday night, falling to the Padres, 12-3.

And it was almost as if manager Kirk Gibson saw it coming.

“It was certainly good,” Gibson said following Friday’s victory, “but you got to kick yourself tomorrow because these are the types of games that the next day it’s hard to score runs.”

Indeed, Gibson’s team managed just four hits and three runs against hard-throwing right-hander Andrew Cashner and the Padres.

But the more noteworthy story of the night was the breakout of the Padres’ offense — which was shutout, compiling just three hits the night before — against left-hander Tyler Skaggs, who only recorded 11 outs in the game.

Struggling throughout the evening with his command, the 21-year-old Skaggs walked five Padres batters, and hit one, surrendering seven runs and throwing just 44 of his 85 pitches for strikes.

“In the first two innings, I though I threw the ball really well,” Skaggs said after the game, “curveball was good, fastball was good. And then in the third inning I got two quick outs and then I just could not find the zone.”

There was a sequence in the third inning in which Skaggs allowed five consecutive batters to reach base, walking or hitting the first four before Yonder Alonso pulled a bases-loaded double just instead the right field line, plating all three men on base.

“I think he had three four-pitch walks in there,” Gibson said, “and he hit a guy.

“And he had Alonso — it was an 0-2 (pitch). He just hung a breaking ball.”

Skaggs’ control issues seeped into the following inning, when he walked opposing pitcher Cashner, who homered later in the game.

Gibson announced after the game that Skaggs was optioned and a relief arm would be called up on Sunday, though he did not yet know who that would be.

Offensively, Paul Goldschmidt hit his 23rd home run of the season, driving in Gerardo Parra on the shot to left field for National League-leading RBIs no. 84 and 85.

Miguel Montero also homered, sending the first pitch of his first at-bat since Monday to the left field bleachers. Montero was held out of the lineup for the previous four games with back inflammation.

The loss tied the worst losing deficit for the Diamondbacks all season, also losing by nine runs to the Atlanta Braves on May 13. The team allowed a season-high 12 runs once previously this season, to the St. Louis Cardinals on June 6.

The Good

Miguel Montero went 2-for-3 with a walk and a home run in his return to the lineup.

The Bad

Four of the six pitchers used by the Diamondbacks on Saturday allowed a run, with Skaggs allowing seven, David Hernandez allowing two and Tony Sipp and Josh Collmenter each allowing a solo home run.

Noted

-Since June 11, David Hernandez has a 8.67 ERA, allowing nine walks and 17 hits in 18.2 innings pitched.

-Gerardo Parra was removed from the game in a double switch but was not injured.

-After optioning Tyler Skaggs following Saturday’s game, the Diamondbacks will announce a corresponding move on Sunday.

He Said It

“To be honest and to be fair, he’s 21 years old and we’re throwing a lot on him. That’s part of his development. He’d want to be better. We want him to be better, but he’s got a bright future ahead of him.” -Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson on Tyler Skaggs

Up Next

After back-to-back blowout games, one apiece for each team, left-hander Patrick Corbin (12-1, 2.31 ERA) faces Padres’ right-hander Tyson Ross (1-4, 3.35 ERA).