Game 156-Arizona Diamondbacks (80-75) @ San Diego Padres (69-86). 09/22/19

[Ronin]

First pitch is set for 2:10 p.m. Arizona time

 

[Ronin]

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[BC867]

Almonte is hot! Will there be another leadoff HR or triple today?

 

[BC867]

First pitch is set for 2:10 p.m. Arizona time

Actually it starts at 1:10 today (Sunday).

It's 12:45 and Jody is doing the pre-game show.

 

[BC867]

A scoreless first inning.

But Escobar evidently did the same thing as Ahmed
a few games ago and put his bare hand inside his
mitt on a ground ball.

Ahmed missed time with a split fingernail.

The trainer is looking at Escobar's finger in the
dugout.

What's with these professionals all of a sudden
not knowing when to put their hand in the mitt?

 

[BC867]

Adam Jones with a powerful 1-out 2-run HR in the top of the 2nd.

Ahmed follows with an opposite field triple off the wall.

Carson Kelly singles in Ahmed. Robbie Ray with a sacrifice.

The red-hot Almonte doubles in Kelly. The D-backs have hit for
the cycle as a team this inning.

And a pitching change for interim Manager (former D-back) Rod
Barajas. Javy Guerra, converted shortstop, comes in to pitch.

Escobar is coming up to hit as the 9th batter of the inning. He
flied out to deep RF first time up, but grounds out to strand
runners on 1B & 2B. 4-0 D-backs.

Bert and BB commenting on how the Padres players look like
they're just waiting for the season to end.

 

[BC867]

Robbie Ray has struck out four in a row, for a career high for a season.

But he's been looking at his finger, the one on which he had a blister.

'Looks like D-backs players are giving everyone the finger.

Perhaps they should do what Nolan Ryan did with the Mets in '68 and '70.

Soak his fingers regularly in pickle juice. He would pitch 4 or 5 innings
of blazing fast balls and had a designated middle inning reliever.

We all wondered how long the rookie would last. Uh, 27 seasons.

 

[BC867]

As a side note, I can't understand why some batters (as I just saw on the
Padres) use an "open" stance. Such as a right handed hitter having his
his foot pointing toward 3B.

While his bat is swinging toward the left side, his foot is moving toward
the right side to make them even. His body is moving in two opposite
directions during his swing.

When I played, I used a Stan Musial foot stance and stepped directly
into the pitch to lead my bat in the same direction.

I could step toward LF, left-center, CF, right-center or RF, depending
on where I wanted to hit the ball. And, as mentioned, lead my bat in
the same direction.

Then my swing was either a slight uppercut, level or toward the ground.

That was fifteen different combinations of bat and foot motion on any
pitch. In my case, it was mainly softball, so I didn't have to face 90 mph
pitches. But, it seems to me that, it gives a batter the most control of
coordinating his body movements.

I am curious to hear your opinions.

 

[BC867]

Ty France with a 0-out 2-run HR to the short porch in RF
in the bottom of the 4th to cut the D-backs lead in half.

The shortest place in the park to hit a HR. Robbie is just
over 60 pitches.

 

[BC867]

Bottom of the D-backs batting order leaves runners on 2B & 3B
in the top of the 6th. They have only one base hit since scoring
their 4 runs in the 2nd inning. Still 4-2. Yawn!

I'll just say 'hi' to some of my ASFN buddies who are posting.
Hello? Hello?

 

[BC867]

Robbie puts the first two hitters on to start the bottom
of the 6th. He's at 89 pitches. There'll be a change soon.

 

[BC867]

D-backs going to the bullpen with one out. Andriese coming in to pitch.

Bert is saying that Robbie has looked uncomfortable for most of the game.
Still, he struck out ten and gave up only two runs in 5 1/3 innings while
throwing 95 pitches.

I almost wish he would be less of a strikeout pitcher, get his pitch count
down and go 6 or 7 innings.

 

[BC867]

Andriese gives up a 2-out single off a hanging fast ball to
drive in a run and it is a 1-run game. Tying run on 3B.

A double drives in that tying run. Runners on 2B & 3B.

Brand new ball game going to the 7th inning. Each team
with 4 runs on 5 hits.

 

[BC867]

Bob Brenly just commented that the D-backs bats have died
since scoring all of their runs in the 2nd inning because there
have been a string of relievers and the batters are not seeing
the same guy.

As much as I respect BB's insight, I wonder if that is a valid
excuse. Major League players should be more proactive than
that in their face-offs, instead of it being so one-sided.

Inconsistency seems to be a trademark of this team. They
have had all season to work on it. Manufacture runs. Make
things happen offensively.

 

[BC867]

Andriese is still struggling. The leadoff Padres hitter reaches
1B to start the bottom of the 7th.

Myers has the right idea. He tries to bunt the runner along,
but it goes foul.

Andriese hits France off the helmet (he has now been hit-
by-pitches twice since his 2-run HR). Cheap shots by the
Diamondbacks. 'Not happy to see that!

Runners on 1B & 2B, but they are left stranded.

 

[BC867]

Ahmed with a 2-out double in the 8th, but he is left stranded.

Chrichton is pitching the bottom of the 8th for the D-backs.

In all fairness, the shadows across the infield between the
pitcher's mound and home plate make it difficult for the
hitters this time of the day -- it's 4:15.

I'm wondering if the original design of the stadium could
have anticipated that. Because it is downtown, perhaps
there was no other choice. If that were the case, should
they have sought another location?

 

[BC867]

The Padres with two 2-out singles, the second one off
the foot of the pitcher.

Chafin coming in to pitch to the lefty. So Barajas sends
Machado up to hit. And a popup ends the inning.

Top of the 9th coming up in a tie game. The Padres
bring in their closer.

 

[BC867]

Rojas with a 2-out single. But Escobar doesn't get his 118th RBI.

Bottom of the 9th. Lopez coming in to pitch to the 3-4-5
hitters of the Padres.

With 2 outs, France (who hit the 2-run homer, then was
hit by pitches twice) doubles down the 3B line.

Flyout sends the game into extra innings.

 

[BC867]

Lopez back out to pitch the bottom of the 10th
gives up a leadoff double.

And a walk-off HR. D-backs lose 6-4. Padres tie
the season series.

D-backs could have assured a season no worse
than .500 with a win today.

Coming up -- the last six games (all at home).

Three vs. Goldy and the Cards Mon-Tue-Wed
at 6:30, 6:30 and 12:30.

Then, after an off-day Thursday, three vs.
these Padres Fri-Sat-Sun at 6:30, 5:00 and
12 noon.
Then it's Go Suns!

 

[Shaggy]

Lopez has just gotten worse over the season. Started out great but has regressed big time.

 

[Ronin]

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[AZCB34]

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Quit whining and play. Your teammates benefit from the exact same baseballs.

 

[BC867]

Quit whining and play. Your teammates benefit from the exact same baseballs.

What if Robbie were talking from the perspective of a baseball fan as well as a pitcher?
He has every right to state his opinion without being insulted by a fan.

OK, I'll talk from the perspective of a fan. Major League baseball has always been a
statistics oriented game, going back to the days of Ruth and Cobb, and Musial,
Williams and DiMaggio.

Using what is probably juiced baseballs to drive up the home run counts is just as
phony now as during the steroid era.

And just as League and team executives allowed it to happen in that era, the same
thing is happening now. With record numbers of home runs on the books throughout
baseball this season.

And players who would have been called light hitters in the past stubbornly hitting
into the air and into the shift, thus removing strategy from the offense. And putting
winning close games into a low priority.

Why? So the millionaires playing a kid's game can drive the price up even higher and
demand even more millions?

As a fan, I am not impressed by MLB lowering the bar.

 

[AZCB34]

What if Robbie were talking from the perspective of a baseball fan as well as a pitcher?
He has every right to state his opinion without being insulted by a fan.

OK, I'll talk from the perspective of a fan. Major League baseball has always been a
statistics oriented game, going back to the days of Ruth and Cobb, and Musial,
Williams and DiMaggio.

Using what is probably juiced baseballs to drive up the home run counts is just as
phony now as during the steroid era.

And just as League and team executives allowed it to happen in that era, the same
thing is happening now. With record numbers of home runs on the books throughout
baseball this season.

And players who would have been called light hitters in the past stubbornly hitting
into the air and into the shift, thus removing strategy from the offense. And putting
winning close games into a low priority.

Why? So the millionaires playing a kid's game can drive the price up even higher and
demand even more millions?

As a fan, I am not impressed by MLB lowering the bar.

Funny you think I insulted him.

He was speaking as a pitcher but ok. I will keep my opinions to myself.

 

[BC867]

Funny you think I insulted him.

He was speaking as a pitcher but ok. I will keep my opinions to myself.

Please don't. I reacted to the word 'whining' in giving your opinion. I'd consider that
to be an insult in response to his opinion. Which coincides with mine.