D-backs’ Seth Beer out of lineup vs. Padres after walk-off homer

Just one night after lifting the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 4-2 win over the San Diego Padres with a walk-off three-run home run, designated hitter Seth Beer didn’t make the D-backs’ lineup card for the second game of the series Friday night.

Arizona trailed 2-0 entering the ninth inning but was able to get runners on base due to the Padres’ Robert Suarez’s command issues on the mound.

Then stepped up Beer, who sent the fans home happy.

The D-backs now prepare for Game No. 2 of the 2022 season and will do so without the services of the young slugger, at least to start.

Game 2. pic.twitter.com/ZOUI9VvdT5

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) April 8, 2022

Beer’s absence in the lineup card is likely due to the Padres trotting out lefty Sean Manaea, who is making his debut for San Diego after being acquired from the Oakland Athletics on April 3.

Over the course of his minor and major league career, Beer has mostly hit off right-handed pitching. In 2021 playing at the Triple-A level for the Reno Aces, Beer had 73.2% of his at-bats against righties.

Aside from the walk-off, Beer added a single on Opening Day.

D-backs manager Torey Lovullo was asked pregame how far out he typically does his lineups, which Lovullo joked by responding with the question obviously pertaining to Beer.

“To tell you the truth, I did last night’s lineup after the game,” he said. “I’m still getting to know this team, I’m still getting to know a couple things about them. I did a little exercise with the staff and we talked about it for a couple of days about this particular lineup against Manea.

I had my mind made up in certain places. I know Seth Beer had a great day yesterday and he won us a baseball game but I’m going to try to put in the best position to be successful and his opportunity may be off the bench today. You’re going to find him in the baseball game at some point today.”

Arizona will plug Cooper Hummel into Beer’s DH spot, where he will bat leadoff on Friday night.

It marks the first career start for Hummel in his MLB career, as the 27-year-old came to Arizona from the Milwaukee Brewers last season as part of the Eduardo Escobar deal.

The D-backs will send Merrill Kelly to the mound for the second game of the season against the Padres.

First pitch is at 6:40 p.m. with live coverage on ESPN 620 AM or 98.7 FM HD-2.

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