Brandon Pfaadt leads the DBacks and gives them the win in the series
Brandon Pfaadt on his successful start against Athletics
The DBacks beat the A’s thanks to Pfaadt’s 8 strikeouts and just 1 earned run in six innings.
Diamondbacks right-hander Brandon Pfaadt’s afternoon threatened to get out of hand at several points on Sunday, situations that felt like others he’s experienced this season in which Pfaadt dominated for several innings, only to have a short stretch undo his good work.
That didn’t happen against the Oakland Athletics. Every time Pfaadt got into trouble, he worked his way out of the situation, kept it tight and bought his offense time to pull out the 5-1 victory at Chase Field.
The Diamondbacks couldn’t necessarily count on Pfaadt’s dominance in his first full season as a major league starter. But they could count on something else, something almost as valuable, especially given the rotation’s struggles in recent weeks.
“I look for him every five days because I know you can book six innings,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. “It happens.”
In recent months, Pfaadt has been a remarkably consistent innings eater, going at least six innings in 11 of his last 12 starts and 13 of 17 overall. Only three pitchers in the National League — the Giants’ Logan Webb (112 1/3 innings) and the Phillies’ Aaron Nola (107 2/3) and Zack Wheeler (105 2/3) — have gone more innings than Pfaadt’s 103. Pfaadt again went six innings on Sunday, allowing just one run and striking out eight.
“I think my overall goal is to pitch six innings or more every game, every time I’m on the field,” Pfaadt said. “I think if I’m aggressive, get the lead with strikes on the first pitch, the first two of three (pitches in an at-bat), then I can keep getting in the game regardless of the outcome.”
For the Diamondbacks, whose rotation is plagued by injuries and who have a hard time getting into games for long, Pfaadt has been a lifesaver. Lovullo was asked where his team would be without him.
“It’s hard to say,” Lovullo said. “He’s been an anchor for us. He really deserves credit for that. Think about 12 months ago when we were moving him back and forth between player development and here in Arizona. He’s always taken things in his stride and improved.”
Five days ago, Pfaadt had allowed just one run in the seventh inning. A walk, a single and a home run later, he was out of the game, the lead gone, his pitching line tainted. The speed with which an appearance for Pfaadt went down the drain was a topic of conversation around the club, and Lovullo pointed to several mound visits that might have helped keep things on track Sunday.
After the Athletics’ Zack Gelof hit a home run to start the fifth inning, Pfaadt allowed an easy single and a walk to the next two batters, but a double-play grounder and a flyout prevented further damage. Pfaadt’s ability to minimize his troubles helped him to the win.
“Instead of four batters, it was only two batters,” Lovullo said. “That was a crucial moment in the game.”
The Diamondbacks took the lead two innings later after Blaze Alexander pinch-hit a two-run single and Christian Walker had another run-scoring hit. A double from Corbin Carroll made it possible to rally.
Lovullo put the win in a proverbial bucket he’s mentioned often in recent weeks, calling it a “must-win game mid-season.” Not only did they manage to avoid losing a series against a bad A’s team, but they also gave themselves a little more cushion in case their upcoming road trip through Los Angeles and San Diego doesn’t go as they hoped.
Of course, they hope that this is the beginning of a winning streak that they have been striving for for most of the season.
“That could set the tone for us going into the All-Star break,” Pfaadt said. “I think if we do everything right on this trip and do everything right when we get home, it will certainly provide the momentum for the post-All-Star break.”
Zac Gallen goes full throttle into the All-Star break
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said right-hander Zac Gallen will pitch at Dodger Stadium on Thursday. This adjustment to the pitching schedule allows Gallen to make three more starts before the All-Star break.
“We want to have Zac every fifth day,” Lovullo said. “He really pushed before the break to be in the starting lineup as much as possible, so we’re going to go full throttle. We’re going to play with Zac every fifth day.”
The adjustment means that right-hander Slade Cecconi’s next start will be postponed to the San Diego Padres series at Petco Park.
Gallen returned from the injured list on Saturday after missing a month with a strained right thigh and delivered an impressive performance, allowing just one hit and one walk in six scoreless innings in a 3-0 win over the Oakland Athletics.
Latest information on Gabriel Moreno and Alek Thomas
Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno caught five innings and made three batting appearances in an Arizona Complex League game on Saturday, so he could potentially return from the injured list this week.
Lovullo said Moreno “felt really good” after his game Saturday. Moreno went 1 for 2 with a double and a walk in his three starts.
Moreno has been on the injured list since June 22 after jamming his thumb on a foul ball that bounced off his catcher’s glove.
Centerfielder Alek Thomas played for the fourth time in five days at Triple-A Reno on Saturday, continuing his rehab duties.
Lovullo said Thomas has asked to play at least one more game with Reno, telling Lovullo it’s “more about his body and figuring out where he is with his body,” the manager said.
Right-hander Miguel Castro, who has been out since April 20 with shoulder inflammation, pitched in the same rookie ball game as Moreno, throwing two scoreless innings, allowing one hit, no walks and four strikeouts.
Soon
Monday: Out of.
Tuesday: In Los Angeles, 7:10 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Ryne Nelson (5-6, 5.69) against Dodgers RHP Bobby Miller (1-1, 6.75).
Wednesday: In Los Angeles, 7:10 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Jordan Montgomery (6-5, 6.03) against Dodgers RHP Gavin Stone (9-2, 2.73).
Thursday: In Los Angeles, 6:10 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Zac Gallen (6-4, 2.83) vs. Dodgers RHP Landon Knack (1-1, 2.08).
President Biden cancels speech at teachers union convention in Philadelphia due to strike
The 20 Best Gifts for Gardeners, According to People Who Really Love Gardening
Chris Coons jokes he’s “more of a Matt Damon guy” and supports Biden against George Clooney
About The Author
