Game #42-Pittsburgh Pirates @ Arizona Diamondbacks. 5/13/19

[Ronin]

First pitch is set for 6:40 p.m.

 

[Ronin]

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[BC867]

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Despite slumps, and with the return of Avila, today's lineup is our best potential one of the season.

And, for a change, no assigned day off. Go with our best to break the hitters' slump. And let it gel
for awhile.

But it is probable that, shortly, the D-backs will return to not playing their best lineup routinely.

BTW, I accept the platoon with Dyson sitting vs. lefties in CF. As long as it remains consistent.
In that case, two set lefty/righty lineups for the season is a good plan. A standard platoon.

 

[BC867]

An error by Walker, followed by an out, then three consecutive singles
make it a 2-0 Pirates lead in the 1st. Robbie throws 26 pitches.

'Not a good start. Our hitters need to come through.

 

[BC867]

Why is Tyson our best leadoff hitter in forever? Well, he singled,
stole 2nd, stole 3rd and scored on, as we expect, Peralta's single.

And Jones singles putting runners on 1st & 2nd.

Marte hits a run scoring double to tie the game and put runners
on 2nd & 3rd with one out. Walker dropped to 6th in the order
takes a change-up for a called 3rd strike.

And Ahmed flies out to leave runners on 2nd & 3rd. Tied at 2-2.
The Pirates starter threw 36 pitches in the 1st.

Not a pitchers duel so far.

 

[Dback Jon]

And Walker strikes out looking with runners on second and third one out

 

[Dback Jon]

This is after swinging at balls four

 

[Dback Jon]

Do you back should’ve had at least one more run if not to this is depressing

 

[BC867]

Do you back should’ve had at least one more run if not to this is depressing

At least we evened the score. But, at this rate, it is going to be turned over to the bullpens early.

Another extra inning game?

Well, Robbie just walked the Pirate pitcher.

 

[BC867]

Pirates left on 1st & 2nd in the 2nd inning. Robbie is
up to 48 pitches. Half a game pitched in two innings.

They pitch around Avila (good to see a catcher who
is a threat) and Robbie with a perfect sacrifice.

A hit by Dyson and a 2-run triple by Escobar and it's
4-2 D-backs with a runner on 3B and one out.

And, once again, of course, The Freight Train doubles
him in. 5-2.

The D-backs tonight have, so far, 5 hits with runners
in scoring position after going a long time with only
5 hits with runners in scoring position.

 

[Dback Jon]

Escobar With a one out two run triple That missed being a homerun by inches

 

[devilalum]

RR asleep at the wheel.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[BC867]

Walker with a double. Escobar grounder sends him to 3B.

And the-return-of-Alex Avila singles for an RBI. 6-2.

Yup, our strongest lineup of the year. And Torey's
situational batting practice before the game has
resulted in a lot more contact.

The return to what National League baseball should be.

 

[thirty-two]

Hey we are hitting with runners in scoring position!

 

[BC867]

And with hitting support, Robbie has settled down.

Escobar with a HR to go with his triple. 7-2.

Someone must have told Torey that this fan bailed
out during the game and turned off the TV last night
and that they better get on the ball.

 

[BC867]

Avila with a double to go with his walk and single.

Runners on 2nd & 3rd with one out in the 5th.

And they are hitting for Robbie who has reached
his pitch limit.

Swihart pinch hitting with a strikeout.

And a balk with Dyson at bat. 8-2

 

[Dback Jon]

Greinke would have done better than Swihart

 

[Dback Jon]

Balk run!

 

[BC867]

Jimmy Sherfy drama, just back up, pitching the 7th.

Three singles. Then three strikeouts.

That should give him some confidence.

And Christian Walker with a HR leading off.
Earlier he had a double leading off.

He has a 1,100 OPS when leading off an inning.

Strange! I hope the coaches can work with him
to transfer that skill to runners on base.

 

[1Sun]

Can someone please explain to me why Matt Andriese, after dominating the top of the 6th and with his spot in the batting order not coming up in the bottom of the 6th, was not brought out to pitch the top of the 7th?

 

[BC867]

Can someone please explain to me why Matt Andriese, after dominating the top of the 6th and with his spot in the batting order not coming up in the bottom of the 6th, was not brought out to pitch the top of the 7th?

The only explanation would be that they want Jimmy Sherfy, with a perfect
closing record in the Minors, to audition to be their 7th inning specialist,
considering the failures of Archie and Yoshi.

Andriese is not a candidate for 7-8. And Sherfy is pitching the 8th.

 

[1Sun]

The only explanation would be that they want Jimmy Sherfy, with a perfect
closing record in the Minors, to audition to be their 7th inning specialist,
considering the failures of Archie and Yoshi.

Andriese is not a candidate for 7-8. And Sherfy is pitching the 8th.

But that's my point. They could have pitched Andriese in the 7th, possibly hit for him in the bottom of the 7th, and then pitched Sherfy in the 8th. Now they are forced to overextend Sherfy (who is a one-inning reliever) and pitch him in an atypical role for him (Duplantier, anyone?) or else waste another arm in the bullpen. This strategy makes zero sense to me.

 

[thirty-two]

Archie Archie Archie...

 

[Dback Jon]

Gonna lose now. Get Holland up

 

[Dback Jon]

Win!!