Allen Webster makes strong D-backs debut as Collmenter moved to bullpen
Jun 13, 2015, 5:53 PM | Updated: 9:26 pm
April 6, 2015: Veteran right-hander Josh Collmenter starts for the Arizona Diamondbacks on Opening Day against the San Francisco Giants.
June 13, 2015: 2015: Collmenter is removed from the starting rotation after going 3-6 with a 5.24 ERA in 12 starts. In corresponding moves, the Diamondbacks called up 25-year-old righty Allen Webster to make his Diamondbacks debut, and the team designated 26-year-old reliever J.C. Ramirez for assignment.
Webster made his first major league start of the season Saturday in San Francisco, at the venue where Collmenter recorded his best outing of the year: a four-hit, complete-game shutout in a 9-0 Arizona victory on April 17.
It was a pretty good start to Webster’s D-backs career, as the right-hander retired 14 straight at one point and didn’t allow a hit through five while walking two. The Giants apparently started to figure him out in the sixth, however, recording a walk and two hits, which led to two runs.
Webster was pulled after 5.2 innings of work, finishing the day with two hits, two earned runs and three walks allowed while striking out two in 81 pitches. The Diamondbacks held on for a 4-2 win, their second straight.
The third-year pro also went to bat for the first three times in his MLB career in the D-backs win, finishing 0-for-3. He struck out once, bunt-grounded out once and lined out once to end a bases-loaded threat.
In five starts with Triple-A Reno this season, Webster had a 1-2 record and 9.00 ERA while striking out 24 and walking 12 in a total of 23 total innings.
The Greensboro, N.C., native was acquired from Boston in the trade that involved Wade Miley and Rubby De La Rosa over the offseason. In 18 starts and one relief appearance with the Red Sox over the previous two years, Webster compiled a 6-5 record but just a 6.25 ERA in 89.1 innings pitched.
Ramirez had an up-and-down first stint with the D-backs. The Nicaraguan recorded one win, one loss, two holds, two blown saves and a 4.11 ERA in 15.1 innings over 12 appearances. Ironically, Ramirez had his best appearance of the year prior to being designated for assignment: He pitched a season-high three innings in relief and kept the Los Angeles Dodgers scoreless during Arizona’s 9-3 loss on Monday, June 8.
