D-backs and Rockies combine for 9 relievers, 0 bullpen cart rides
Mar 30, 2018, 9:59 AM
After a month of anticipating Archie Bradley riding out on the bullpen cart, fans watched the reliever use his own two feet to get to the mound on Opening Day.
“It’s a special feeling to run out and feel the crowd get behind you like that,” Bradley said. “It really gets the heart pumping and adrenaline flowing.”
He wasn’t the only one to skip the cart.
Jorge de la Rosa declined when he relieved Corbin in the middle of the sixth inning. Yoshi Hirano walked to the mound to begin the seventh. After two batters, Andrew Chafin entered.
He also used the own power of his legs.
Then Bradley came out running for the sellout crowd of 48,703 at Chase Field.
“I’m not going to say I’ll never use it, but when you get a reaction like that leaving the bullpen, it’s going to be hard to,” he said.
Fernando Salas made his Diamondbacks debut in the ninth inning. He continued his excellent play from spring, allowing one hit and striking out one in a shutout inning.
He too, however, elected not to use the cart.
You can’t blame the four Rockies relievers for rebuffing it, either. Riding out on the vehicle with a Diamondbacks’ hat wouldn’t make the best Opening Day impression.
It may be getting some upgrades, though. Bradley hopes Chafin, who has “rebuilt everything from a race car to a freakin’ RC car” will break out his tools.
“Stay tuned, we have some work for that cart,” Bradley said.
