Lack of hustle will likely land D-backs’ Adam Eaton on bench Wednesday

Aug 14, 2013, 4:41 PM | Updated: 4:42 pm
LISTEN: Kevin Towers, D-backs' general manager

The Arizona Diamondbacks woke up Wednesday fresh off back-to-back nights with walk-off wins.

Prior to Paul Goldschmidt’s second homer in three innings Tuesday, Monday night’s hero Adam Eaton had a situation he probably wished he had back.

In the bottom of the 10th with A.J. Pollock on first, Eaton hit a ground ball to second base in what turned out to be an inning-ending double play. The play at first was a close one.

Upon watching the replay, it appeared Eaton slowed up a little over half way down the line. It also showed that he was safe but the call probably could have gone either way.

If Eaton had hustled all the way through the bag, there’s a good chance he would have easily beaten the throw and been called safe.

General manager Kevin Towers told Doug and Wolf on Arizona Sports 620 Wednesday that the lack of hustle isn’t something the Diamondbacks take lightly.

“I would imagine you probably wouldn’t see him in the lineup today,” Towers said. “There are subtle ways of sending messages and I’m sure there are teammates that have been on him.”

The 24-year-old Eaton has played only 46 games in his big league career, and Towers doesn’t think Tuesday’s play is indicative of the youngster’s style of play.

“He’s a good kid, he cares, and it’s just part of that learning process,” Towers said of the young outfielder. “Stuff like that is kind of uncalled for, kind of an unwritten rule in Major League Baseball you hustle every time regardless of where the ball is hit.”

Monday, Eaton hit the first of the two walk-off home runs for the Diamondbacks this week — his first home run of the season.

After missing more than three months with an elbow injury, Eaton has had a solid August, hitting .300 (9-for-30).

Baltimore Orioles center fielder Adam Jones (10) makes the catch for the out against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first inning during a baseball game on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2013, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Miguel Gonzalez (50) throws in the first inning during a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2013, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Randall Delgado (48) throws in the first inning during a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2013, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder Adam Eaton (6) makes the running catch for the out in the first inning during a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2013, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis (19) hits a two run home run in the fourth inning during a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2013, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis (19) celebrates with Matt Wieters (32) after hitting a two run home run in the fourth inning during a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2013, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Baltimore Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy (2) celebrates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning during a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2013, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Aaron Hill (2) celebrates with Wil Nieves (27) after scoring in the seventh inning during a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2013, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Diamondbacks right fielder Gerardo Parra (8) hits a solo home run in the seventh inning during a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2013, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (44) hits a game tying homerun in the ninth inning during a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2013, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Aaron Hill (2) turns the double play while avoiding Baltimore Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis (21) in the ninth inning during a baseball game on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2013, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Didi Gregorius (1) makes the off balance throw in the ninth inning during a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2013, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (44), right, runs home after hitting a walk off homerun against the Baltimore Orioles during a baseball game on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2013, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (44), right, gets bubble gum poured on him after hitting a walk off homerun against the Baltimore Orioles during a baseball game on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2013, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (44), right, gets a water poured on him after hitting a walk off homerun against the Baltimore Orioles during a baseball game on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2013, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

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