Inside the Box: D-backs miss Heilman
Apr 23, 2011, 1:48 AM | Updated: 3:18 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 April 22, 2011:
Mets 4, Diamondbacks 1
The Arizona Diamondbacks bullpen wasted a solid performance from starter Joe Saunders in the team’s 4-1 loss to the New York Mets.
Saunders pitched six shutout innings only giving up two hits before giving way to the bullpen in the seventh inning.
Esmerling Vazquez promptly entered the game and gave up a two-run homer to Ike Davis.
Things only got worse as the Mets got deeper into the Diamondbacks bullpen when Juan Gutierrez entered in the eighth inning and gave up two more runs pretty much putting the game out of reach.
This game highlighted how much the D-backs miss injured reliever Aaron Heilman.
David Hernandez and J.J. Putz have been rock solid so far this season at closing games out in the eighth and ninth innings.
However, the problem for the D-backs is that they don’t have anybody reliable past those two to come in for the sixth or seventh inning.
Sam Demel, Juan Gutierrez and Esmerling Vasquez haven’t proven they can get the job done on a consistent basis.
When Heilman’s able to return from the disabled list, he will be a much better option in the future for manager Kirk Gibson to turn to in the seventh inning.
Hopefully, it won’t take too long, otherwise, the D-backs may waste more solid efforts from their starting rotation.
