Diamondbacks can’t solve McHugh, Houston’s riddle, fall in series finale: By the Numbers
Aug 2, 2015, 2:41 PM | Updated: 2:56 pm
Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder David Peralta hits the wall while trying to catch a double hit by Houston Astros' Jed Lowrie during the second inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 2, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Watching the Arizona Diamondbacks this season has been a bit like watching someone climb a sandy dune — for every positive step(s) they take, a negative one (or two) is almost sure to follow.
After enjoying a six-game winning streak, the D-backs have now suffered two straight losses, the latest coming in a 4-1 defeat to the Houston Astros in Sunday’s series finale at Minute Maid Park.
Prior to their consecutive losses, the D-backs had received strong outings from their starting pitching, boasting a 5-1 record and a 1.90 ERA in the first eight games of their last 10 contests. Sunday’s starter, Robbie Ray, was the poster boy of that dominant effort, posting a 2.96 ERA in his last four starts.
All that good mojo came to a halt, however.
Through five innings of work, Ray surrendered seven hits and four earned runs, marking only the fourth time this season he has allowed two runs or more in a start.
Offensively, the D-backs bats were largely quieted, as Astros starter Collin McHugh scattered eight hits over seven innings, allowing only one earned run.
Below we take a look at the D-backs’ loss, by the numbers.
10.80
What a difference a couple of days make. After posting a 1.90 ERA in the first eight games of their last 10 contests, D-backs starters have hit a brick wall of late, seeing their ERA balloon to 10.80 (10 ER over 8.1 innings) over the last two games. Ray’s seven hits and four earned runs allowed over five innings of work resulted in the second straight loss suffered by a D-backs starting pitcher.
1.83
On the flipside, the D-backs bullpen continues their month-long domination of the opposition. After providing three scoreless innings of work, which included only one hit from the combined efforts of Andrew Chafin, David Hernandez and Oliver Perez, the Arizona relievers improved their ERA to 1.83 since July 1. Over that period, the bullpen is 4-1 with seven saves.
6
Filling in defensively for Paul Goldschmidt at first base and providing the only run support for Ray and the D-backs on the day, infielder Jake Lamb drove home his sixth RBI in his last seven games after his 2-for-4 outing (two doubles) versus McHugh. The 24-year-old is batting .370 (10-for-27) over that span.
.315
Despite the D-backs bats being quieted for a second straight game against the Astros, catcher Welington Castillo continues to produce at the plate. Following Sunday’s 2-for-4 effort which included a double, Castillo is batting .315 (35-for-111) with eight doubles, eight home runs and 18 RBI in his last 34 games.
12
D-backs shortstop Nick Ahmed has 12 hits (12-for-43) over his last 12 interleague games. Ahmed reached base twice (2-for-4) via single versus Houston Sunday.
9-4
Though they would suffer their second straight loss Sunday, the D-backs still hold an impressive 9-4 advantage in 13 games against AL West opponents this season.
