Chip Hale: It’s time for the Arizona Diamondbacks to lean on the bullpen

Aug 18, 2015, 4:23 PM

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Addison Reed follows through on a delivery during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, Calif., Monday, June 15, 2015. The Diamondbacks won 7-3. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

(AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

LISTEN: Chip Hale, D-backs manager

BY MARY KATE LAU

Arizona Sports

It’s getting to be crunch time for the Arizona Diamondbacks’ goal of a postseason appearance, and manager Chip Hale is looking at his reserve pitching to help get them there.

“Our bullpen has performed much better as the year has gone on,” Hale said on the Burns and Gambo show on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM, “We’re going to lean on them heavily down the stretch.”

The D-backs pitchers have a combined ERA of 4.00 and the bullpen has recorded 30 saves in 48 opportunities. One of the guys Hale currently has a lot of confidence in is Addison Reed, who pitched Monday night for 2/3 inning, allowing one hit, one walk and striking out Gregory Polanco. He has one earned run in 10.2 innings pitched with 9 strikeouts since July 29 when he was recalled from the AAA Reno Aces.

“He’s pitched very well,” Hale said of Reed. “He’s had some swing and miss stuff. You talked about Cole (Hamels) not being able to put guys away, he’s been able to do that. He had a big strikeout last night with a high fastball on Polanco. That was huge. Then of course (Daniel) Hudson had that big strikeout on Alvarez and those are big moments for this team.”

Hudson is another pitcher Hale is high on, praising him for working well in his new role.

“He’s done a fantastic job,” Hale said. “He’s pitching in the eighth inning, the second-most important inning for a bullpen guy. (Brad Ziegler) has really locked up the ninth inning and Hudson’s really been the guy we’ve wanted to go to (in the eighth).”

Speaking of Ziegler, he’s notched a career high 21 saves this season, the fourth-longest save streak in the Majors, and Hale will keep him right where he is.

“I think we all keep thinking his best role is in the eighth inning or any time you need to get a ground ball,” Hale said, “but what’s wrong with having a guy in the ninth that if he has a hiccup, he can always get a double play?”

The Diamondbacks are currently 8.5 games back of the Los Angeles Dodgers for first place in the NL West and 5.5 games back of the San Francisco Giants for second place.

Arizona Diamondbacks' David Peralta, right, and A.J. Pollock, left, celebrate with teammate Chris Owings after defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates in a baseball game, Monday, Aug. 17, 2015, in Pittsburgh. The Diamondbacks won 4-1. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

Pittsburgh Pirates' Pedro Alvarez, left, and Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Welington Castillo, right, head to their dugouts after Alvarez struck out with two men on base to end the eight inning of a baseball game, Monday, Aug. 17, 2015, in Pittsburgh. The Diamondbacks won 4-1. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

Pittsburgh Pirates' Pedro Alvarez points skyward as he touches home plate after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Monday, Aug. 17, 2015, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Jeremy Hellickson, right, waits for a new ball as Pittsburgh Pirates' Pedro Alvarez trots around the bases after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning of a baseball game, Monday, Aug. 17, 2015, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Neil Walker, left, reaches to tag Arizona Diamondbacks' David Peralta as he tries to steal second base in the sixth inning of a baseball game, Monday, Aug. 17, 2015, in Pittsburgh. Peralta was initially called safe but replay overturned the call and he was ruled out. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale yells after overplay overturned a safe call when David Peralta tried to steal second base in the sixth inning of a baseball game, Monday, Aug. 17, 2015, in Pittsburgh. Peralta was initially called safe but replay overturned the call and he was ruled out. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Gerrit Cole sits in the dugout as his team bats in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Monday, Aug. 17, 2015, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Gregory Polanco chases after the ball hit by Arizona Diamondbacks' David Peralta for a double driving in A.J. Pollock FOR the Diamondbacks first run in the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, Aug. 17, 2015, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Gerrit Cole throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, Aug. 17, 2015, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Jeremy Hellickson throws against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, Aug. 17, 2015, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

Arizona Diamondbacks starter Jeremy Hellickson pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, Aug. 17, 2015, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Gerrit Cole, left, wipes his face after giving up a hit to Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Jeremy Hellickson that drove in a run in the second inning of a baseball game, Monday, Aug. 17, 2015, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Chris Owings slides into third from second on a sacrifice fly in the second inning of a baseball game, Monday, Aug. 17, 2015, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Chris Owings, left, is greeted by on-deck batter Ender Inciarte, right, after scoring on a single by Jeremy Hellickson in the second inning of a baseball game, Monday, Aug. 17, 2015, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

Arizona Diamondbacks' David Peralta hits a pitch by Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Gerrit Cole for a double, driving in A.J. Pollock with a run in the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, Aug. 17, 2015, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

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