Michael Soroka’s strong outing not enough as D-backs’ hitting woes continue in loss vs. Reds
The D-backs finished the game going 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position despite outhitting the Reds in Saturday's game.
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Michael Soroka tossed seven strong innings, but the Arizona Diamondbacks’ hitting woes continued in a 2-1 loss to the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday.
Soroka finished his start allowing just one run on two hits, with no walks and seven strikeouts. Reds second baseman and former Diamondbacks first-round pick Matt McLain tagged Soroka in the third inning with an RBI single to tie the game 1-1. Following the hit, Soroka retired the next 13 batters he faced.
The Diamondbacks had opportunities late in the game to break the tie, as Arizona had bases loaded with one out in the top of the seventh inning, but Nolan Arenado and Pavin Smith could not score a run.
One inning later, Arizona had runners on second and third with two outs following a Ryan Waldschmidt double, with Ketel Marte up, who grounded out.
After Soroka exited the game following the seventh inning, the Reds broke the tie in the bottom of the eighth inning with a Noelvi Marte home run off Juan Morillo to make it 2-1. The D-backs went down in order in the top of the ninth inning to end the game.
The D-backs finished the game going 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position despite outhitting the Reds 7-3. Corbin Carroll hit his 12th home run of the season in the top of the first inning for Arizona’s lone run of the game.
Arizona looks to win the series in a rubber matchup against Cincinnati on Sunday. Zac Gallen is set to start for the D-backs against Reds lefty Andrew Abbott.
First pitch is 10:40 a.m. Listen to the game on 98.7, the Arizona Sports app or online.
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Comments
25 Comments
I thought that Lawlar's performance yesterday, his first game back, earned him the right to play today. When Dbacks can't hit to score many runs in a game, you would think you'd play your hottest players to win games. No! TL's protocol is nuts.
Shout out to Soroka for a pitching a whale of a game. Sorry that there were no runs support. We will miss you in 2027...Soroka has an one year contract and with his performance so far this year, the Dbacks can't afford his asking price since we like to spend money on Kelly, Gallen, Pfaadt, etc.
Last night, I wrote that TL won the game by taking out E-Rod when he did.
Today, I am writing that TL lost the game with his 'playing not to lose' strategy instead of using the 'playing to win' strategy.
Yesterday, the Dbacks were aggressive on the bases. Today, there were several opportunities to steal a base that wasn't attempted. If the bats are cold, you need to manufacture runs. It seems like TL was afraid to try to win...he is expecting players to hit home runs (he said that on the Burns & Gambo show) when he should be expecting stolen bases.
Why were Groover and Lawlar benched for the game? Groover was 1-3 yesterday and Pavin Smith were 0-4 today with numerous runners on base. On the Dbacks TV, they said Lawlar is resting today because that is the protocol for players returning from rehab. He is not a pitcher. His injury wasn't like pulled muscles or etc. It was a broken bone in his hand. Troy was 0-4.
Pavin Smith: He had runners on bases on his first, second and fourth AB...I missed his third AB. He was 0-4 with a batting average of .103. Put him on waivers and call it a day!
Team Bats: RISP: 0-8 and LOB: 12
Lawlar: On Dbacks TV announcers said that Lawlar is being rested due to rehab protocol. He broke his bone...Corbin Carroll play everyday after he had a broken bone in his hand.
Smith: He was Hazen's first pick as the new GM for the Dbacks in the June 2017 MLB draft. There were five players drafted (#14 to #34) after Pavin that are All-Stars and/or All-MLB team. In other words, Hazen picked the wrong player.