ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Early lead not enough to lift D-backs vs. Mets, Bumgarner leaves with injury

Jun 2, 2021, 4:38 PM

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Madison Bumgarner throws against the New York Mets in the first inning...

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Madison Bumgarner throws against the New York Mets in the first inning during a baseball game, Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

PHOENIX — It looked like the Arizona Diamondbacks and New York Mets might never make it out of the first inning on Wednesday as both offenses came out of the gate hot.

Between both teams, 10 hits and nine runs were scored in the first inning of the D-backs’ 7-6 loss to the Mets.

Pitcher Madison Bumgarner had a less than stellar start before exiting with left shoulder discomfort.

Each of the first six Mets batters the veteran faced reached base and a three-run home run by James McCann put the D-backs in the hole 4-0 early. Bumgarner was able to complete the inning by getting the next two Mets to ground out.

By the second inning, manager Torey Lovullo said he and pitching coach Matt Herges felt the southpaw’s body language seemed off. Bumgarner allowed two more hits and completed the inning before being replaced by Riley Smith to start the third.

“He just didn’t look like he had good tempo and good rhythm,” Lovullo said. “I started to pay attention to it and he just lacked a little bit of finish to his pitches. … It was probably around pitch 40 that I noticed that something was not clicking, something was not right.”

Bumgarner finished the day with eight hits allowed, two strikeouts and no walks. He said postgame that he’s felt the discomfort for around two to three weeks but didn’t think much about it.

“Stuff comes and goes throughout the year, every year. It’s pretty rare to go out there and feel great every time and this is just a bad judgement on my part,” the pitcher said. “I thought it was going to get better and go away sooner.”

Bumgarner has allowed 16 earned runs over his last three starts and holds a 5.15 ERA. Lovullo said the pitcher will undergo an MRI soon to assess the extent of the injury.

The D-backs’ offense, though, wasn’t about to let New York take a commanding lead and equally roughed up Mets starting pitcher David Peterson in the first.

After leadoff batter Carson Kelly walked, Ketel Marte drove in a home run to shrink the Mets’ lead to two.

A single by Christian Walker plus two more walks issued by Peterson loaded the bases for Arizona’s newest acquisition Ildemaro Vargas.

Vargas drove in two runs on a single and Peterson was relieved by Robert Gsellman after recording just one out and giving up the tying run.

Vargas, a familiar face who began his career with the D-backs back in 2017, went 2-for-3 on the day with three RBI. The infielder was traded to the D-backs on Wednesday from the Pittsburgh Pirates for cash considerations.

A base hit by Bumgarner off Gsellman put the D-backs up 5-4 before Kelly grounded out to end the inning.

“We kept banging away at it,” Lovullo said of the offense. “It’s nice to make the noise that we did after giving up four runs in the first inning, to go ahead and put our own five spot up there. It was just some really timely hitting, good patient approaches.”

The Mets and D-backs traded runs in the fifth and sixth innings, respectively, to keep the game tied until the ninth inning.

A Francisco Lindor leadoff double in ninth off reliever Joakim Soria spelled doom for the D-backs. Two batters later, Pete Alonso drove in Lindor to take the lead, while the D-backs were unable to answer in the bottom of the ninth, sealing the loss.

Leaguewide, Wednesday was dedicated as the inaugural Lou Gehrig Day, honoring the legendary player and his fight against ALS.

UP NEXT

The D-backs begin a six-game road trip Thursday when they travel to Milwaukee to take on the Brewers. First pitch is set for 4:40 p.m. Listen live on ESPN 620 AM.

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Madison Bumgarner throws against the New York Mets in the first inning during a baseball game, Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JUNE 02: Madison Bumgarner #40 of the Arizona Diamondbacks delivers a first inning pitch against the New York Mets at Chase Field on June 02, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) Arizona Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte hits a two-run home run against the New York Mets in the first inning during a baseball game, Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte celebrates with Carson Kelly (18) after hitting a two-run home run against the New York Mets in the first inning during a baseball game, Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Diamondbacks' Ildemaro Vargas hits a two-run single in the first inning during a baseball game against the New York Mets, Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Diamondbacks' Madison Bumgarner hits an RBI single against the New York Mets in the first inning during a baseball game, Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JUNE 02: Nick Ahmed #13 of the Arizona Diamondbacks turns a double play on a ground ball hit by Jose Peraza #18 of the New York Mets as Brandon Drury #35 is forced out at second base during the fifth inning at Chase Field on June 02, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JUNE 02: Pavin Smith #26 of the Arizona Diamondbacks scores on a single by Ildemaro Vargas #8 against the New York Mets during the sixth inning at Chase Field on June 02, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

Arizona Diamondbacks

Ketel Marte...

Arizona Sports

NL Wild Card standings: Diamondbacks fight for postseason berth

The Arizona Diamondbacks are in a playoff hunt for the first time in years. After a cold July and early August, they are back in the race.

8 hours ago

Zac Gallen...

Alex Weiner

Zac Gallen deals, D-backs beat Yankees in the rain to keep 2nd wild card spot

Arizona Diamondbacks starter Zac Gallen threw six scoreless innings on Sunday against the New York Yankees.

13 hours ago

Yankee Stadium...

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks-Yankees game delayed by 50 minutes on Sunday in New York

The start of Sunday's game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium was delayed, the teams announced. 

17 hours ago

Zac Gallen...

Alex Weiner

How weather may or may not impact the D-backs’ pitching plans down the stretch

Rain falling in New York could change the D-backs' pitching plans in the final week of the regular season.

2 days ago

Blake Walston...

Alex Weiner

D-backs prospects Ivan Melendez, Blake Walston to play in Arizona Fall League

Pitcher Blake Walston, infielder Ivan Melendez and outfielder A.J. Vukovich will represent the D-backs at the Arizona Fall League.

2 days ago

The Arizona Diamondbacks logo on the field during the MLB baseball game between the Chicago Cubs an...

Arizona Sports

Diamondbacks vs. Yankees game on Saturday postponed, rescheduled for Monday

The game between the Diamondbacks and Yankees scheduled for Saturday at Yankee Stadium in New York City has been postponed.

2 days ago

Early lead not enough to lift D-backs vs. Mets, Bumgarner leaves with injury