Hale impressed with D-backs pitchers’ performance
Jun 16, 2015, 6:19 PM | Updated: 6:19 pm
The Diamondbacks have a problem, but it’s a very good problem.
Their starting pitchers are doing such a solid job that D-backs manager Chip Hale has had a tough time finding a place for his bullpen.
“Last night we went with [David] Hernandez,” Hale told Burns and Gambo on Arizona Sports 98.7. “We had to get him in a game and we’re up five-nothing and we felt comfortable but it’s tough because he hasn’t thrown a lot of innings up here.”
Pitching has been a bright spot for the Diamondbacks as of late with fantastic performances from multiple starters.
“We had a run of guys going deep without giving up a hit, it’s amazing it’s almost like they’re competing against each other,” Hale said.
One of those stellar starts has came from Chase Anderson, who went into the seventh inning against the Giants last Friday without giving up a hit. He’s now 2-1 with a 2.82 ERA.
“No doubt about it, he deserves consideration for the All Star team with that ERA and the way he’s kept us in games,” Hale said.
Another came Monday against the Angels when Robbie Ray made it almost through the sixth before a hit came from Daniel Robertson. His performance led some to compare him to Cy Young winner Ron Guidry.
“I hope he develops into that,” Hale said. “I actually mentioned that to [Chief Baseball Officer] Tony La Russa last night and he said ‘When he gets that slider, maybe we can start talking about that.'”
The solid run of starts came regardless to changes to the pitching personnel, like bringing up Allen Webster from Triple-A, who got his first win last Saturday against the Giants, and moving Josh Collmenter to the bullpen.
“We wanted someone with a little more of a power sinker like [Webster] has and what Collmenter gives us is that option in the bullpen to have a really true long guy and a guy I’m not afraid to bring in at any time,” Hale said. “He can stabilize our bullpen and I think eventually, hopefully by the weekend, we can get back to the seven guys in the bullpen instead of the eight and give us another position player to help us out.”
