D-backs’ Weaver finds the positives in bumpy outing against Royals

Looking at Luke Weaver’s stat line Thursday, it may seem like the starting pitcher was quite roughed up by the Kansas City Royals in the Arizona Diamondbacks’ 10-1 loss.

But the 27-year-old righty took the seven runs he gave up with a different view.

“I felt like I left the game feeling really, really good about how I threw and made a really big adjustment during the game which is what we’re going to need during the season. It’s not always going to be fine and dandy,” Weaver told reporters via Zoom.

Weaver racked up eight strikeouts, but allowed seven runs on seven hits in 5.1 innings of work. After giving up six runs through the first two innings, he began to settle in and throw “clean, fast, easy innings,” as manager Torey Lovullo said.

“Through success, it’s hard to learn some things,” Weaver said. “Through a little bit of a grinding spring training and getting hit around a little bit … definitely a lot to learn and I also think ‘hey we get them out of the way now, we don’t get them during the season.’ That’s the big thing.”

In four spring training starts, Weaver has given up 15 runs, eight of which have been home runs. On the flip side, the right-hander has thrown 17 total strikeouts.

Lovullo isn’t worried over Weaver’s performance just yet, saying spring is full of good lessons.

“Maybe lost a little focus and concentration and conviction,” Lovullo said of Weaver’s first few pitches on Thursday.

“Overall I know it wasn’t perfect. We’re still going to try and get as much work as we possibly can in for these guys and not stop teaching,” Lovullo added. “I think there were some good lessons that were learned between innings and you could see that there were positive results.”

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The D-backs host the Reds at Salt River Fields on Friday. First pitch is at 1:10 p.m. Tune to ESPN 620 AM for all the action.

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