ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Relievers get their work in during D-backs loss to Padres

Mar 19, 2013, 11:26 PM | Updated: 11:26 pm

The Arizona Diamondbacks lost to the San Diego Padres by a score of 6-2 Tuesday afternoon at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.

The Good:

J.J. Putz, Heath Bell and David Hernandez have not seen much action this spring season, and Tuesday they each pitched an inning early in the ball game, facing the better part of the Padres roster.

Putz started the game and threw one inning, giving up one hit and allowing one earned run with one strikeout.

Bell followed Putz and also pitched one inning, with one walk and two strikeouts.

Hernandez pitched the third inning and went 1-2-3 with one strikeout.

The Bad:

Manager Kirk Gibson was happy to get his relievers some work in the absence of a “true” starting pitcher Tuesday, but he wasn’t so happy with the amount of fastballs that were thrown. According to Gibson, the Padres are a “behind-count-fastball hitting team.” Gibson said that they will have to be smarter about that during the season and make better pitches.

Another reliever, Andrew Barbosa, came in to pitch the fourth and fifth innings and struggled early on. He allowed four hits and four earned runs with a walk and a home run in those two frames.

Barbosa spent last season with the Southbend Silver Hawks in Class A Midwest League. He was selected by the D-backs in the 36th round of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft from the University of South Florida.

Noted:

Putz made a rare start for the Diamondbacks on Tuesday. He made the start because Wade Miley played in an intrasquad game Monday and has been shut down since March 11, the day before he was scheduled to make a start, due to ‘dead arm’ and discomfort in the bicep of his left arm. Tuesday was Miley’s day to start in the spring rotation.

He Said It:

Manager Kirk Gibson talked about Heath Bell and David Hernandez getting some work in early in the game.

“They haven’t thrown very much, they’ve thrown a lot of side sessions. I think [pitching coach Charles Nagy] is going to sit down and map it out from here until the end of the year. For sure want them to throw back to back one of these upcoming days.”

Both Bell and Hernandez were with Team USA for the World Baseball Classic.

Up Next:

The Diamondbacks hit the road to play the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday. Righty Brandon McCarthy is scheduled to make the start for Arizona and righty Gavin Floyd will go for the White Sox. Brad Ziegler and Tony Sipp are also scheduled to pitch for the D-backs. First pitch is slated for 1:05 p.m.

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.

10 hours ago

Corbin Carroll...

Alex Weiner

D-backs drop final road game at White Sox, season comes down to final series vs. Astros

The Diamondbacks squandered an opportunity to potentially clinch a playoff spot on Thursday with a loss at the White Sox.

17 hours ago

Arizona Diamondbacks CEO and president Derrick Hall visits the Arizona Sports studios on Tuesday, F...

Aaron Schmidt

Derrick Hall: D-backs hitting stride as the postseason nears

With four games left to go in the regular season, the Arizona Diamondbacks are in a good spot to clinch a wild card berth.

20 hours ago

Brandon Pfaadt...

Alex Weiner

D-backs’ Brandon Pfaadt and Corbin Carroll deliver vs. White Sox, magic number drops to 3

Rookies Brandon Pfaadt and Corbin Carroll led the D-backs to a victory over the White Sox on Wednesday, dropping Arizona's magic number.

2 days ago

Longtime Arizona Diamondbacks radio announcer Greg Schulte smiles...

Arizona Sports

Touch ‘Em All: Special show to honor Diamondbacks play-by-play voice Greg Schulte

Arizona Sports will hold a special show Wednesday from 5-7 p.m. to honor Diamondbacks play-by-play announcer Greg Schulte.

2 days ago

Zach Davies, Arizona Diamondbacks...

Arizona Sports

Diamondbacks designate Zach Davies for assignment, recall Justin Martinez

Veteran pitcher Zach Davies was designated for assignment Wednesday for the Arizona Diamondbacks with five games left in the season.

2 days ago

Relievers get their work in during D-backs loss to Padres