Tyler Gilbert throws gem in spot start as Diamondbacks fall to Nationals
Apr 19, 2022, 5:57 PM | Updated: 8:26 pm
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Tyler Gilbert threw a gem in his first MLB start of the season in Tuesday night’s 1-0 loss to the Washington Nationals.
The 28-year-old left-hander was called up from Triple-A Reno earlier on Tuesday in order to spot start in the second of a doubleheader at Nationals Park.
Gilbert finished the ballgame having thrown 5.2 innings and only allowing three hits on 73 pitches (52 strikes).
He struck out three Nationals batters and only allowed one run, which came in the sixth inning following a wild series of events.
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After a leadoff single from Washington’s Victor Robles, Lucious Fox reached on a bunt after D-backs first baseman Christian Walker dropped the throw from Gilbert.
Unfortunately for Walker, not only was he charged with an error, but Fox’s helmet fell off while running to first and struck the first baseman in the face.
Nationals’ Cesar Hernandez opened the scoring with an RBI double before Gilbert managed to get Juan Soto to ground out for the first out of the inning.
After intentionally walking Nelson Cruz to load the bases, Gilbert got Josh Bell to pop out to second baseman Ketel Marte for the second out of the inning.
Right-handed pitcher Sean Poppen came in at that point with the bases loaded and two outs.
Poppen got Lane Thomas to strike out looking to get out of the jam and end the inning at only a one-run deficit through six.
The D-backs managed to load the bases with no outs in the top of the ninth, but Seth Beer struck out, Jake McCarthy popped out and Sergio Alcantara flew out to end the game.
Arizona’s hitting woes continued as the team only mustered four hits on the night, half of which came in the final frame.
“I feel like this team is going out there with the best intentions and grinding and playing as hard as they can,” D-backs manager Torey Lovullo told reporters postgame. “We just can’t seem to get that big hit at the right time.”
UP NEXT
Game 3 of the four-game set is set for Wednesday at 4:05 p.m. on ESPN 620 AM or 98.7 FM HD-2, with Arizona RHP Merrill Kelly starting against Washington RHP Erick Fedde.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
