HABOOB

Sad Padres fans try to enjoy game after D-backs force SS Erick Aybar to pitch

Apr 18, 2017, 10:52 PM | Updated: Apr 19, 2017, 8:19 am

The Diamondbacks’ eight-run lead on the Padres left San Diego with no second-thoughts about waving the white flag.

There would be no over-taxation of the bullpen late in the first game of the teams’ series on Tuesday night. And with that, San Diego manager Andy Green first went to catcher/pitcher Christian Bethancourt in relief.

Bethancourt, who is attempting to transition into a relief pitcher this year, struggled like his teammates before him and ended his evening with two unearned runs and two outs in the ninth.

So San Diego turned to veteran shortstop Erick Aybar to earn the final out in the top of the ninth inning with his team trailing 11-1.

Aybar threw a 65-mph first-pitch strike to the D-backs’ Chris Herrmann, and Herrmann then fouled off a 66-mph heater before finding weak contact on a 59-mph pitch that led to an out.

This was enjoyable … as enjoyable as a shortstop making his pitching debut can be.

Padres fans had takes ranging from cynical to joyous after Aybar’s appearance in the 11-2 Arizona victory.

They didn’t.

Comments

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

Haboob

Jusuf Nurkic dribbles down the court...

Arizona Sports

Suns’ Jusuf Nurkic posts ‘that’s all folks!’ after Kings take down Draymond Green, Warriors

Shortly after the Warriors were ran out of the play-in tournament by the Kings, Jusuf Nurkic took to X with a simple yet effective post.

24 hours ago

Randy Johnson stars in new commercial 'Bird Ballparks'...

Bailey Leasure

‘What about birds?’ Randy Johnson gives birds a safe space in new commercial

Randy Johnson stars in new DIRECTV commercial 'Bird Ballparks', playing off 2001 incident where Johnson struck a bird with a pitch.

1 day ago

Bradley Beal's teammates celebrated with him during a postgame interview after Sunday's win. (AZ Fa...

Damon Allred

Suns’ Bradley Beal barked at, gets water poured on after huge performance in win over Wolves

Bradley Beal was the man of the hour on Sunday after leading the Suns to a massive 125-106 win over the Timberwolves at Target Center.

3 days ago

Arizona Cardinal wins the Topham Handicap Chase race on the second day of the Grand National Festiv...

Tyler Drake

High horse: Arizona Cardinal takes home Topham Handicap Chase victory

Given the same namesake as the NFL team, Arizona Cardinal finished first in the Topham Handicap Chase on Friday morning.

5 days ago

(TBS Screenshot)...

Haboob Blog

Charles Barkley pokes fun at Bobby Hurley’s superstition: ‘I eat fast’

Arizona State head men's basketball coach Bobby Hurley discussed his gameday superstition, and Charles Barkley had a classic response.

9 days ago

NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Final Four...

Haboob Blog

Don’t put Final Four programs in your luggage, TSA advises

Anyone who picked up a Final Four game program at State Farm Stadium this weekend was advised not to put it in their luggage by the TSA.

10 days ago

Sad Padres fans try to enjoy game after D-backs force SS Erick Aybar to pitch