ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Diamondbacks slip back to .500

Sep 11, 2013, 6:47 AM | Updated: 6:47 am

...

With Tuesday’s 5-3 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Arizona Diamondbacks stooped to a place they hadn’t been since April 2 — .500.

At 72-72, the Diamondbacks are .500 for the first time since they were 1-1.

Despite once being nine games over .500, at 34-25 on June 5, Kirk Gibson’s club has slowly, gradually slipped into mediocrity and out of playoff contention — now standing 13 games back from the Dodgers, who they once held an 8.5 game lead over in the National League West, and nine games back of the Cincinnati Reds in the race for the second NL Wild Card.

Tuesday was the tenth time the Diamondbacks had faced falling to .500 this season and Wednesday will be just the second time they’ll face the prospect of a losing record, the last time, of course, being back on April 2.

After going 15-12 in both April and May, the Diamondbacks went 12-15 in June, 13-13 in July, 14-13 in August and they’re now 3-7 in September.

Back in June, the team was outscored 130-120 — a marginal deficit when placed beside the current month’s lackluster efforts. So far in September, the Diamondbacks have scored 23 runs while their opponents have scored 47 runs.

With their struggles, their elimination magic numbers are now at 6 and 9, respectively — the former representing their standing in the NL West and the latter representing their chances at a Wild Card spot.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Paul Sewald...

Arizona Sports

Diamondbacks closer Paul Sewald reinstated, reliever Scott McGough optioned

Arizona Diamondbacks closer Paul Sewald was reinstated after he began the year on the injured list with an oblique injury.

3 hours ago

Corbin Carroll...

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks OF Corbin Carroll ready to ‘migrate north’ in batting order

Corbin Carroll had been hitting in the bottom third in the lineup, and manager Torey Lovullo teased he would be moving back up.

1 day ago

Joc Pederson...

Alex Weiner

‘Mad’ Diamondbacks aim to build off hitting outburst from win over Padres

Every few days this season it seems the Arizona Diamondbacks muster a dominant offensive outburst to blowout an opponent. 

2 days ago

Ketel Marte...

Arizona Sports

Diamondback bats come alive after stretch of poor offensive showings

After a recent stretch of poor offense, the D-backs finally turned the bats on in Sunday's game against the San Diego Padres at Chase Field.

2 days ago

Eduardo Rodriguez...

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks’ Lovullo gives encouraging updates on Rodriguez, Sewald

Veteran pitchers Eduardo Rodriguez and Paul Sewald were in the Diamondbacks' clubhouse Sunday, and Torey Lovullo gave encouraging updates. 

2 days ago

Ryne Nelson...

Arizona Sports

Diamondbacks activate RHP Ryne Nelson off injured list, option LHP Brandon Hughes to Reno

The Diamondbacks activated pitcher Ryne Nelson off the 15-day injured list ahead of Sunday's ballgame against the Padres. 

2 days ago

Diamondbacks slip back to .500