ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Gibson, Goldschmidt offer answers for bullpen’s struggles

May 1, 2013, 11:54 PM | Updated: May 2, 2013, 12:07 am

The Arizona Diamondbacks’ bullpen leads baseball in blown saves, accruing nine in the first month of the season — including Tuesday night’s heartbreaker — which is one in every three games they’ve played so far. They’re also near the top in innings pitched, with 254 — second in the National League, fourth in the majors — and ERA, with a 3.36, which is fourth in the NL and sixth overall.

In 27 games this season, the Diamondbacks’ bullpen has already had 17 save opportunities. And though they’ve completed less than half of those opportunities, the fact that they’ve been called upon so frequently is largely out of their control and surely working against them.

The more close games the Diamondbacks play in, the more difficult the bullpen decisions become for manager Kirk Gibson, who pointed out his dilemma prior to Wednesday night’s game against the San Francisco Giants.

“We haven’t been able to manage the bullpen like you’d like to,” Gibson explained. “In a tight game, you’ve got to continually match up. Guys are (warming) up more often and they’re getting in the games more often.

“What I’m trying to do is to manage the bullpen, get these guys freshened up a little bit from their first real tests of the year.”

Gibson went on to point out just how many tight games his team has been in this year. Just five of the team’s 27 contests have been decided by more than three runs — one being a four-run, 12-inning victory at Yankee Stadium. Moreover, the Diamondbacks have already been in six extra innings games this season, just one shy of the seven they saw all of last season.

According to Paul Goldschmidt, there’s an easy answer to the Diamondbacks’ bullpen conundrum: “We need to score more than just a few runs a game.”

While his statistics may be off (the Diamondbacks are currently scoring 4.26 runs per game, exactly the league average), his point is not.

“Our pitching staff really has picked up our offense,” the first baseman went on. “We haven’t really scored that many runs. We’ve been in a lot of 3-2, 2-1, 1-0 games and as a team, I think you’ve got to expect to score more runs. That’s a big part of (the bullpen’s struggles). As an offensive player, you’re always thinking it’s your responsibility.”

The Diamondbacks will look to salvage a series win against the Giants on Wednesday. Brandon McCarthy, who is winless with three losses and a 7.48 ERA so far this season, will face Tim Lincecum, who is 2-1 with a 3.64 ERA. Gibson wasn’t clear as to the availability of J.J. Putz or any of his other relievers when asked prior to the game.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Lourdes Gurriel Jr....

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks keep good times rolling with 14-run inning, Opening Day rout of Rockies

What the Diamondbacks accomplished in the third inning against the Rockies on Thursday night was completely new for those in the ballpark. 

7 hours ago

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. flips his bat during Arizona Diamondbacks' 2024 Opening Day...

Arizona Sports

Diamondbacks score 14 runs in a single inning to beat Rockies on Opening Day

The Arizona Diamondbacks set franchise marks with 13 hits and 14 runs in the third inning of their 2024 Opening Day game against the Rockies.

10 hours ago

Blaze Alexander...

Alex Weiner

Blaze Alexander did all he could to make Diamondbacks’ Opening Day roster

Diamondbacks infielder Blaze Alexander put together a spring that made it too difficult for the team to send him back to the minor leagues.

14 hours ago

Ketel Marte celebrates...

Tyler Drake

Ketel Marte to lead off Arizona Diamondbacks’ Opening Day lineup

The Arizona Diamondbacks' Opening Day lineup is set ahead of their matchup against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday.

17 hours ago

Jordan Montgomery throws a pitch...

Tyler Drake

Hall: Diamondbacks’ addition of Jordan Montgomery ‘made a lot of sense’

The Diamondbacks' addition of Jordan Montgomery puts a bow on a rotation that should be in the conversation for the top spot across MLB.

18 hours ago

Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno...

Arizona Sports

Roundtable picks: One Diamondbacks young player to watch in 2024

Which Arizona Diamondbacks player should continue an upward trend in 2024? Gabriel Moreno, Brandon Pfaadt and Alek Thomas are possibilities.

19 hours ago

Gibson, Goldschmidt offer answers for bullpen’s struggles