Game #138-San Diego Padres (64-72) @ Arizona Diamondbacks (70-67). 9/2/19

[Ronin]

First pitch is set for 1:10 p.m. Arizona time.

 

[Ronin]

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[AZCB34]

Let's see if the Dbacks have turned the corner from the .500 team we believe they are. If they remain consistent to what they have shown essentially this whole season they will lose this series.

 

[Ronin]

Nick Piecoro (@nickpiecoro)
9/2/19, 1:27 PM
Alex Avila is starting today, Torey Lovullo said, because he thought Avila and Mike Leake worked well together in San Francisco. "It looked like they were in sync," Lovullo said. "I don’t want to disrupt that."

 

[BC867]

I don't get it. Tory previously said he would discontinue the shift
when Leake pitches, after it had great results in his last start.

And Steve said they reiterated it on the pre-game show.

Second batter of the game, the shift is back on.

Runners on 1st & 2nd with two outs.

 

[BC867]

Almonte with a single in his first start. He's playing RF.
And he continued on to 2B on the throw to 3B. He's
played in parts of six Major League seasons.

And a single by Ahmed scores Walker from 3B in this,
the 2nd inning. Runners on 1B & 3B and no outs.

The Padres blow a pick-off attempt and now runners
on 2B & 3B, still no outs. Avila strikes out.

The pitcher with a broken bat grounder drives in our
second run. Runner on 3B with 2 outs, and he scores
on a wild pitch walk.

Rojas 2-for-2 with an opposite field double drives in
the 4th run.Then Marte with a 2-run HR. 6-0 D-backs.

The D-backs batted around.

These are the only runs the D-backs have scored in
the first 3 innings on this homestead.

 

[BC867]

Life has been spotted in Alex Avila's bat! A single,
then a 2-run double in the 5th with 2 outs. 'Just
missed a HR. 8-0 D'backs.

 

[BC867]

Machado up with a foul popup with 2 outs.

But Walker had it in his mitt, then it bounced off
while he was shying away from the stands.

BB pointed out that he should reach the seats,
then back off, rather than go gingerly toward
the seats. Walker is a weak first baseman.

Machado then walks and advances to 3B on a
double by Hosmer. And a hit drives him in for
the 1st Padres run in the 6th. Then a 3-run
homer

Leake had pitched a good second game in a
row until Walker's goof. Brenly is really doing
a job on Walker's bad fielding.

Leake throws away a grounder throw to 1B,
but they get the runner at 2B.

Apparently, Torey shelving the shift last
game helped Leake build confidence, even
though it's been employed again today.

Confidence until now! 8-4 D-backs. Middle
of the 6th.

 

[BC867]

Josh Rojas is 3-for-4 with his 2nd Major League HR.
9-4 D-backs with no outs in the 6th. Insurance run?

And Escobar with a 2-out solo HR. 10-4, good buddy!

And Walker makes amends with a solo HR.

It must be mentioned that these 3 home runs are off
a converted infielder just brought up by the Padres.

Batting practice continues. Almonte with a double.
His third hit of the game.

Ahmed drives him in with a single to make it 12-4.
The D-backs got all 4 runs back.

Mercifully, the Padres make a pitching change and
Avila makes the third out.

 

[BC867]

BB just brought up a good point. Teams are hesitating to assign
their young Minor League pitchers to the Pacific Coast League,
a notorious hitters league.

 

[BC867]

Cron was on deck to hit for Leake, but after the third out,
Leake is back in the top of the 7th. He is at about 93
pitches.

And he is removed after 94. Robby Scott is now in on a
double switch. Catcher Caleb Joseph, just brought up, is
now catching.

 

[BC867]

Another pitching change in the 7th with 2 on and 2 out.
Chrichton is in to pitch to Machado and leaves them
stranded.

 

[BC867]

Marte with a 2-run double with 1 out. 14-4.

Rojas didn't get a triple for the cycle, but
had his 4th hit (and was robbed of a 5th
earlier).

The D-backs do like the Pod's pitching.

 

[BC867]

Duplantier pitching in relief loads the bases with 1 out.

And another outfield-infield switch moves Rojas from
LF to 2B, and more sloppy fielding, where he runs into
a collision with Ahmed on a ground ball.

Then Duplantier walks in a run. He's a starting pitcher,
damnit, not a reliever. How long will it take Lovullo to
see that? The man is just not a tactician.

Now it's 14-7 on a bases loaded single. Jimmy Sherfy,
just back up, comes in and leaves them loaded.

Steve is announcing that all of the "other" Wild Card
contenders have won today.

Oh well, at least we have a seven run lead going to
the top of the 9th.

Cron comes in to play 1B.

 

[BC867]

It ends 14-7.

I am still pissed that we didn't bunt with the left side
wide open and a runner on 3rd in extra innings to win
yesterday's game with the Dodgers. And we lost it
the next inning.

 

[BC867]

Torey just said on his "Cup of Coffee" interview that his favorite
sport is basketball. Basketball with its in-and-out substitutions.

No wonder he manages baseball that way.

 

[AZ Native]

Torey just said on his "Cup of Coffee" interview that his favorite
sport is basketball. Basketball with its in-and-out substitutions.

No wonder he manages baseball that way.

 

[BC867]

He does it. I react.

Is it beating a dead horse to observe the wave of sloppy fielding
that has taken over the team, with all of the position changes
during each game?

Rojas moving from LF to 2B and colliding with Ahmed on a
fielding play!?!?! Lack of chemistry between teammates.

BB commented a few times about it, saying that maybe
the infield is not Rojas' best position.

Did you send BB a dead-horse note?

 

[AZ Native]

So you just regurgitate what BB says? This is a message board. We want to here your opinion. Not BB’s. Your dislike for Torey grew old a long time ago. Admit it, you predicted 68 wins and Torey has far exceeded that. But you continue to bash him every game. Just admit it and we can agree you are wrong and move on. Just keep and move on.

 

[BC867]

So you just regurgitate what BB says? This is a message board. We want to here your opinion. Not BB’s. Your dislike for Torey grew old a long time ago. Admit it, you predicted 68 wins and Torey has far exceeded that. But you continue to bash him every game. Just admit it and we can agree you are wrong and move on. Just keep and move on.

If I didn't agree with BB's opinions, I wouldn't be highlighting them. Of course,
I post them to support my opinions.

Again, the predictions were a long time ago. A lot happens during the season.

As far as Torey, no, I am not so simple minded to "dislike" him. Personally,
I think he's a likable guy. But I have disagreed with a lot of his approach for
most of the season.

And I am thrilled to see the D-backs finally rising above being the most .500
team in history.

Please, if you want to make everything personal, that's your choice.

But don't attribute it to me.

 

[AZ Native]

So, you admit you were wrong on your prediction? Nothing personal, just facts. So you disagree with a lot of his approach for most of the season? What are your qualifications that make you more knowledgeable than Torey? (the couch does not count). He has exceeded your expectations by a mile but you still blast him at every opportunity. Relax and enjoy the ride and stop thinking you know more than the manager. Your phone is not ringing with Manager opportunities. Sorry.

 

[BC867]

So, you admit you were wrong on your prediction? Nothing personal, just facts. So you disagree with a lot of his approach for most of the season? What are your qualifications that make you more knowledgeable than Torey? (the couch does not count). He has exceeded your expectations by a mile but you still blast him at every opportunity. Relax and enjoy the ride and stop thinking you know more than the manager. Your phone is not ringing with Manager opportunities. Sorry.

Again, I post about the D-backs and you post about me. Hmmm!

BTW, having managed from 10 to 110 personnel for over 35 years,
I am experienced in management.

And my phone no longer rings with opportunities because I am retired.

Don't be sorry, AZ, just broaden your thinking.

 

[AZ Native]

Good for you in your management career. But you know nothing about being a MLB manager. Neither do I. You still cannot admit that you are wrong about the wins (68) but you continue to bash Torey even though he has far exceeded your prediction. I talk about you because you are wrong and cannot admit it. Just admit it, we have all been wrong like you were with your prediction.

 

[sdscard4]

Ok so he says hes wrong about a stupid prediction and he still gets bashed for being critical of Torey? What do you want from the guy lol. Torey has done an decent job not great. This is what he is. i wouldnt mind a coaching switch for next year as long as its a good candidate. We have gone as far as possible with him.

 

[BC867]

Good for you in your management career. But you know nothing about being a MLB manager. Neither do I. You still cannot admit that you are wrong about the wins (68) but you continue to bash Torey even though he has far exceeded your prediction. I talk about you because you are wrong and cannot admit it. Just admit it, we have all been wrong like you were with your prediction.

Talk about . Tory, is that you? I didn't know you post on ASFN.

Let it go, Native. I've posted that I'm glad to see that Torey has lifted the team from the longest 2-games-over-to 2-games-under .500 spell in history. But go ahead and get the last word! ICCL.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Ok so he says hes wrong about a stupid prediction and he still gets bashed for being critical of Torey? What do you want from the guy lol. Torey has done an decent job not great. This is what he is. i wouldnt mind a coaching switch for next year as long as its a good candidate. We have gone as far as possible with him.

Wow... that’s some crazy talk if there ever was any crazy talk!
What basis are you using that makes you believe we’ve “gone as far as possible” with Torey as manager? Must be our roster that matches teams like the Dodgers in terms of payroll, talent and experience... right? [emoji15]