Inside the Box: Collmenter struggles continue
Jul 2, 2011, 4:06 AM | Updated: 5:18 am
After every Arizona Diamondbacks game we’ll examine the box score and provide you with instant analysis. So it’s time to go Inside the Box for July 1, 2011: Athletics 5, Diamondbacks 4
The Good:
Wily Mo Pena was at it again homering in his first at-bat of the game.
It was Pena’s fourth home run of the season in his brief time with the Diamondbacks and continues to make a case for Arizona to see if they can hide him somewhere in the field.
Pena has only seen extended playing time during interleague play when he can DH.
In addition, Kelly Johnson hit a two-run homer that got Arizona back in the game.
Sam Demel made his first appearance since coming off the disabled list and threw 1.1 innings of scoreless baseball.
The Bad:
One has to wonder if big league hitters have started to figure out Josh Collmenter and his over the top delivery.
The D-backs rookie didn’t make it out of the fifth inning having already given up five runs. The Oakland hitters seemed to solve him the second and third time around the batting order.
Juan Miranda continued to struggle at the plate going 0-2 dropping his average to .214 putting his roster spot further in jeopardy.
Miranda’a struggles could prompt the D-backs to rush Paul Goldschmidt to the big leagues to play first base as the D-back prospect is currently tearing up Double-A pitching.
