A closer look: Miley struggles as D-backs fall to Nationals

Aug 12, 2012, 3:18 AM | Updated: 5:58 am

Sure, you could read the box score and know who won, but
we
all
know that won’t tell you everything that happened in a
baseball
game. So, we will give you a closer look, providing you
with
the
analysis, quotes and notes from the D-backs’ August 11
loss to the Nationals.
Final
score: Nationals 6, Diamondbacks 5.

The Good:

Relief pitchers Brad Bergesen and Bryan Shaw returned to the Diamondbacks and both performed well in their return to the Big Leagues. Bergesen pitched 1.2 innings and gave up just one hit and one walk. Shaw was lights out, going 1-2-3 with three K’s in the seventh.

For the offense, third baseman Chris Johnson continues to put up some decent numbers with his new team. He recorded another RBI with a SAC fly in the third inning. He now as 18 RBI in 12 games with Arizona.

The Bad:

The Diamondbacks errors hurt them once again. They recorded three on the night and were a big reason why starter Wade Miley didn’t make it out of the fifth inning. That’s 62 errors on the season and a fielding percentage of .985. Miley lasted 4.1 innings. That’s the fewest for him since June 30th when they played the Milwaukee Brewers on the road (3.2IP).

The Diamondbacks have also lost six of their last eight games and they are 8-17 in one run games this season.

Noted:

Jake Elmore made his major league debut tonight. He’s the second player from ASU to appear with the Dbacks, along with Willie Bloomquist.

Gerardo Parra is the 22nd position player to play on his bobblehead night in Diamondbacks history.

The Nationals are on a season high eight game winning streak and they are 23-17 in one run games. It was also their 29th comeback win of the season.

He Said It:

Manager Kirk Gibson gave his thoughts on the terrible fifth inning for the Diamondbacks.

“Well it wasn’t a very good inning for sure. Four hits, a walk, made a couple errors and gave up a two unearned runs today, didn’t make good pitches. I mean it was a bad inning.”

Up Next:

The D-backs try to salvage this series and this homestand by avoiding a series sweep on Sunday against the Nationals. LHP Patrick Corbin will face LHP Ross Detwiler. In Corbin’s last outing he got the win with a solid performance against Pittsburgh. He lasted six innings, gave up six hits, two earned runs and recorded seven strikeouts.

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Washington Nationals' Michael Morse reacts after striking out against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the eighth inning of an MLB baseball game on Saturday, June 4, 2011, in Phoenix. The Diamondbacks won 2-0. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Chris Young rounds third base on his way home to score on an RBI-double hit by teammate Xavier Nady off Washington Nationals pitcher Livan Hernandez in the seventh inning of an MLB baseball game on Saturday, June 4, 2011, in Phoenix. The Diamondbacks won 2-0. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)

Arizona Diamondbacks closer J.J. Putz pumps his fist after Washington Nationals batter Roger Bernadina hit a fly ball that was caught for the final out of a baseball game in the ninth inning on Saturday, June 4, 2011, in Phoenix. Putz earned his 17th save of the season as the Diamondbacks won 2-0. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)

Arizona Diamondbacks right fielder Justin Upton readies himself for play as light streams through a window during a baseball game against the Washington Nationals in the fifth inning on Saturday, June 4, 2011, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)

Washington Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond, top, makes the catch from catcher Wilson Ramos in order to tag out Arizona Diamondbacks' Kelly Johsnon, right, as umpire Rob Drake, left, looks on on a steal attempt in the sixth inning of an MLB baseball game Saturday, June 4, 2011, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Joe Saunders delivers a pitch against the Washington Nationals in the first inning of an MLB baseball game on Saturday, June 4, 2011, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)

Washington Nationals manager Jim Riggleman checks the count with home plate umpire Vic Carapazza against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the second inning of an MLB baseball game on Saturday, June 4, 2011, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)

Washington Nationals' Danny Espinosa fields a ground ball for an out by Arizona Diamondbacks' Gerardo Parra in the second inning of an MLB baseball game on Saturday, June 4, 2011, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Stephen Drew rounds second base on his way to third after hitting an RBI-triple off Washington Nationals' Livan Hernandez in the first inning of an MLB baseball game on Saturday, June 4, 2011, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)

Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Stephen Drew, left, misses the throw as Washington Nationals' Ian Desmond, right, steals second base, and then went on to take third on the errant throw, in the first inning of an MLB baseball game on Saturday, June 4, 2011, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)

Washington Nationals' Livan Hernandez delivers a pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first inning of an MLB baseball game on Saturday, June 4, 2011, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)

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