Diamondbacks’ pitching woes continue to frustrate team
Apr 8, 2016, 8:54 AM
Arizona Diamondbacks' Rubby De La Rosa throws a pitch against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning of a baseball game Thursday, April 7, 2016, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
When it rains, it pours.
Arizona starters have given up a combined 23 runs in the first four games, and the team has surrendered a Major League-worst 34 runs this season. Arizona has a team ERA of 8.25, the worst in the National League.
“It’s frustrating,” manager Chip Hale told the media after Arizona’s 14-6 loss to the Chicago Cubs Thursday night. “I think the guys are a little frustrated at this point, I think the pitchers are frustrated, I think the whole organization is frustrated.”
Rubby De La Rosa’s lackluster performance was just the latest in an early theme for the team. In only 3.1 innings, the right-hander gave up six earned runs on six hits and walked three batters.
“You get the lead against a good team, an exciting game and you continually give it up,” Hale added. “It’s tough for the guys on the field, and I think it’s starting to wear on some of the pitchers coming out of the bullpen too, they feel like they have to pitch perfect.”
De La Rosa’s dreadful night continued the early theme for the Diamondbacks, after the team watched Zack Greinke give up seven runs on Opening Day and Shelby Miller get knocked around for six runs. Patrick Corbin fared the best of the starters, giving up four runs in seven innings of work.
Zack Greinke & Shelby Miller (ARI): 13 ER in first 2 combined starts. That's the most allowed in 1st 2 starts of season in D-Backs history
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 6, 2016
Meanwhile down in Reno, Archie Bradley won his Triple-A start, pitching six shutout innings. Bradley only gave up two hits en route to a 8-0 Aces’ victory. However, if the Diamondbacks are thinking of bringing Bradley back up to the big leagues, it’ll take a little time.
“We’re going to need at least one arm, there’s a possibility we might need two,” Hale explained. “We’re going to have to look at it, it’s tough right now because all the guys we optioned out we can’t bring back for ten days. I think it’s the 13th we can bring them back, so we’re going to have to look for another non-roster guy and make a move.”
After the Cubs, Arizona hits the road to visit the remaining NL West teams before coming home to face Pittsburgh and St. Louis. The Diamondbacks wrap up the first month of the season hosting Trevor Story and the Rockies.
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