- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 375,180
- Reaction score
- 43
Diamondbacks 11, Athletics 3
What stood out on Thursday at Salt River Fields:
RHP Zac Gallen pitched on the day he was officially announced as Opening Day starter: Gallen worked 4 ⅓ innings and allowed a run on five hits with two strikeouts and two walks. It was his last start before he takes the mound at Chase Field for the regular season opener on March 27. Gallen threw 73 pitches and smiled as manager Torey Lovullo came to the mound to take the ball from him and end his afternoon in the top of the fifth inning. Gallen figures he will throw again at some point before the season, perhaps one bullpen session or two.
The battle for a bench position player spot intensified: Garrett Hampson and Ildemaro Vargas, presumably fighting for a utility role off the Diamondbacks bench, didn't hurt themselves with Thursday's performances. Batting first, Vargas went 4-for-4 including a double, scored four runs and drove in a run, and Hampson, hitting second in the lineup, had two hits, reached base three times and scored three times. Hampson raised his spring training batting average from .235 to .270 and Vargas from .282 to .349. It's not likely both will make the Opening Day roster, but for what it's worth, Vargas flew around third base on a two-run single and almost ran down the speedy Hampson, who scored from third. The two also combined for a shortstop-to-second-to-first double play.
DH duo drives in runs: The righty-lefty designated hitter platoon of Randal Grichuk and Pavin Smith combined to drive in six runs, four for Smith. Smith is also Josh Naylor's backup at first base, and on Thursday he played there with Grichuk in left field and first baseman Josh Naylor serving as DH. Smith singled twice and tripled, his three-bagger almost clearing the wall in left field, and Grichuk reached base twice and scored a run.
Next game, Friday, March 21: Diamondbacks RHP Corbin Burnes vs. Brewers RHP Freddy Peralta, 6:10 p.m., American Family Fields of Phoenix.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Diamondbacks rout Athletics; Zac Gallen tunes up for Opening Day
Continue reading...
