D-backs’ Ray has command issues in short outing against Angels

TEMPE, Ariz. — Arizona Diamondbacks’ starting pitcher Robbie Ray, a possible starter for this team on Opening Day, had a rough outing against the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday in a 6-5 loss.

Ray was scheduled to pitch six innings & throw 75 pitches but was only able to last until the third inning after some issues locating arose causing an extended second inning.

“After that first inning, my command was just off and I was walking guys,” Ray said after the game. “It wasn’t good.”

Ray said he was “getting stuck” in his delivery to the plate, which was causing the location problems.

Things went south in the second when Ray gave a up a double to start the inning to Angels’ right fielder Kole Calhoun. He then allowed three walks and a run to score before getting out of it with an uncharacteristically high pitch count.

He proceeded to walk Justin Upton to start the third inning and gave up a double to Zack Cozart. A Calhoun RBI sac fly ended Robbie’s day well before planned.

Ray lasted 2.1 innings, only allowing two hits and two earned runs. The main concerns for Ray was his pitch count and the five walks allowed.

“It’s spring training,” he said, “Obviously, I need to work on something, but it’s an easy fix and after this it all resets back to zero.”

Ray seemed confident about moving past his delivery issues and is looking for his next opportunity to get right.

“I should have one more start, which will be perfect,” he said. “Be able to iron that stuff out and get ready the season.”

In other starting pitcher news, Lovullo confirmed before Tuesday’s game that Zack Greinke will pitch on Wednesday, but he will pitch in a backfield game instead of on the main diamond against the San Francisco Giants.

“We’re going to control that environment, like we talked about,” Lovullo said. “We just felt like it made sense for him to get the work on a back field where we can dictate the pitches, rollover innings if needed.”

Per Lovullo, the gameplan is for Greinke to throw four innings and 60 pitches in the backfield game.

BASE HITS

– Outfielder Rey Fuentes was hit on his left hand during Monday’s game against the White Sox. X-rays were negative. Fuentes is hitting .429 with six RBI and eight runs scored in his last 11 games.

– Right hand pitcher Fernando Salas has still not allowed a run this spring in nine innings pitched. He has accumulated seven strikeouts and has only allowed one walk.

– With Greinke no longer pitching against the Giants on Wednesday, the starting pitching for the game is still to be determined. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. at Salt River Fields.

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