D-backs GM Hazen: Patrick Corbin’s recent success comes at critical time

In their last 15 games, the Arizona Diamondbacks have struggled, but there have been a few bright spots, including the emergence of lefty pitcher Patrick Corbin.

“It couldn’t come at a better time,” D-backs general manger Mike Hazen said with Doug and Wolf on 98.7 FM, Arizona’s Sports Station. “You’re getting into this moment in the season in August when it’s starting to drag and we are getting in the three-quarters pole of the season.

This is where you want your starting pitcher to step up because that gives you the chance to take a deep breath during the game, get into the game, get ahead, get a lead and then try to protect it.”

Hazen couldn’t have said it better.

With the D-backs fighting a close race with the Colorado Rockies, the Milwaukee Brewers and the St. Louis Cardinals for one of the two National League Wild Card spots, Corbin has helped keep the team afloat during their recent skid, providing three of the six wins the team has strung together in their last 15 games.

Corbin’s win total and ERA in August have been some of his best all season and while his play on the mound has been evidently better, it’s also his mental game that is proving successful for him. In his last three starts for the snakes, two on the road, the lefty has posted a 1.00 ERA in 23.1 innings pitched.

“He’s using his breaking ball early in the count, getting ahead of hitters, you know, boring in on the right hander’s hands,” Hazen said. “I think the confidence is No. 1 and I think you can see it, it’s really starting to roll downhill for him because it’s one after the next after the next.”

Entering August, Corbin’s ERA was 4.76, but since then he has dropped it to 4.09.

He will look to continue his elevated play when he takes the mound against the San Francisco Giants at home on Aug. 27.

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