Diamondbacks scratch Gabriel Moreno for must-win final game

SAN DIEGO — The Arizona Diamondbacks scratched Gabriel Moreno from the starting lineup on Sunday before their potential win-or-go-home regular season finale against the San Diego Padres.

Moreno has been experiencing left hamstring discomfort since Friday, and he was removed from Saturday’s game for that reason. Adrian Del Castillo pinch hit for Moreno with the bases loaded and no outs in the ninth inning on Saturday night.

Moreno said after the game that his hamstring felt worse than Friday and he was having trouble pushing off of his leg when swinging in the batting cage. He showed up on Sunday, received treatment, gave it a go in the batting cage and evidently did not feel good to start.

The D-backs started Moreno as the designated hitter on Saturday and planned to do the same on Sunday with James McCann catching.

The Diamondbacks moved around their lineup, inserting Jordan Lawlar to play center field, moving Tim Tawa from the outfield to first base and reverting Pavin Smith from first base to designated hitter.

The D-backs need to win on Sunday and have the Phillies lose in order to make the postseason.

Moreno is batting .311 this season, leading the National League. He is just ahead of Philadelphia’s Luis Arraez at .310, who is also dealing with an injury (ankle sprain).

If neither takes an at-bat on Sunday, Moreno will win the batting title.

The game starts at 12:10 p.m. MST on ESPN 620 AM and the Arizona Sports app. 

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