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topicnews · September 2, 2024

DBacks destroy Dodgers after 8-run second inning

DBacks destroy Dodgers after 8-run second inning

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Shohei Ohtani barely flinched at the fastball, then immediately turned around and walked back into the Los Angeles Dodgers dugout. He didn’t need to hear the call to know the throw was a strike. For the third day in a row, he was in the middle of a game against Diamondbacks left-hander Joe Mantiply. And for the third time, Mantiply had gotten an out against arguably the best hitter in baseball.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo didn’t call Sunday a must-win game for his team, but he did call it “very, very” important. After the Diamondbacks beat the Dodgers 14-3 to put themselves in a position to potentially tie the series at four games in Monday afternoon’s finale, Lovullo’s face beamed with relief.

Lovullo felt they needed a win on Sunday – and his decision to walk to Mantiply in the sixth inning made that clear.

The score was 9-3 at the time. The Diamondbacks had scored eight runs in the second inning against Dodgers left-hander Justin Wrobleski, two of seven hits they had during the inning in an inning that included both a leadoff double and a three-run homer by designated hitter Randal Grichuk.

The outburst prompted Dodgers manager Dave Roberts to raise the white flag. Not only did he take stars Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and Teoscar Hernandez out of the game, preferring rest over an unlikely comeback, but Roberts also didn’t sub out Wrobleski until the sixth inning, making him a sacrificial lamb for his overworked bullpen.

That said, the game seemed almost over when Ohtani came on in the sixth inning. The Diamondbacks were leading by six. One runner was on, two were out. And Lovullo decided to go to Mantiply anyway.

Honestly, you can hardly blame him.

Not only is Ohtani capable of hitting a ball out of the park at any time, but there are arguably few pitchers in baseball better at preventing him from doing so than Mantiply. Ohtani’s strikeout in the sixth inning marked the ninth time the two have faced off in their careers, all at-bats coming this season. Ohtani is just 1 for 9 with a double.

“I wanted to keep it at 9-3 because I didn’t want to use our leverage relievers,” Lovullo said. “I wanted to sacrifice Mantiply. He’s thrown three days in a row, he’s done it before against this exact team, and I felt like he was going to have success and get so much out of it, and we could … save some of the real back-end relievers that are still important right now.”

When asked what he thinks is behind his success, Mantiply first pointed to his pitch. He moves a little toward first base, which gives him a crossfire motion. His arm angle is sideways, which gives him something all pitchers crave: deception. But Mantiply chose his words carefully, as he will likely face Ohtani a lot more in the future.

“Luckily it worked out in my favor,” he said. “But this game can change really quickly, I’m sure. The more you see someone, the better you have to be. Luckily I was able to get him out a couple of times. I’m just going to try and keep doing it.”

Right now, Ohtani is probably the National League MVP, and if he wins, he would be the first DH in either league to win the award. He has 44 home runs, 43 steals, and an OPS of nearly 1.000. And yet he looks like any other hitter when he faces Mantiply.

“I feel like I didn’t necessarily make a lot of mistakes in the crucial moments,” Mantiply said. “I feel like I did a pretty good job of changing the order and kind of mixing things up. Just try not to give him the same look too often. The more a hitter like that sees you, the more chance he has of hurting you.”

The Diamondbacks’ win puts them within five games of the Dodgers in the division and allows them to keep up with others in the wild-card race, including the Padres and Mets, both of whom also won. (The Braves were still playing on Sunday at the time of publication.)

Right-hander Brandon Pfaadt allowed three runs and struck out 10 in 5 2/3 innings. The Diamondbacks will send left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez to the mound on Monday to try to get a split. They will face Jack Flaherty, the Dodgers’ top signing at the trade deadline.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. has to undergo an MRI scan of her left calf

Diamondbacks left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. will undergo a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of his left calf after apparently feeling discomfort while running to first base in the sixth inning.

Gurriel appeared to be resting his left leg as he approached first base and then slowly walked off the field. He was replaced by Jorge Barrosa at the start of the seventh inning.

Lovullo said the club is still working out the details of when Gurriel’s MRI will be performed, noting that the situation was complicated by Monday’s holiday.

Christian Walker is close to his possible return from the injury list

Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker, who has been out since late July with a strained left oblique muscle, came to bat live at Salt River Fields on Saturday and could do so again Monday before potentially returning from the injured list during the upcoming road trip.

“We are getting closer and closer to Christian,” said manager Torey Lovullo.

Second baseman Ketel Marte also continues to make progress, although he appears to be a bit behind Walker in terms of returns. Marte, who is out with a sprained left ankle, also has at-bats but has not run out of the batter’s box, Lovullo said.

“He is making very good progress,” Lovullo said.

Catcher Gabriel Moreno has been batting and has begun catching drills, which Lovullo called a “very good sign” as he recovers from an adductor strain in his left leg.

Diamondbacks add Slade Cecconi and Jorge Barrosa

Expanding their roster to 28 on Sunday, the Diamondbacks signed right-hander Slade Cecconi and outfielder Jorge Barrosa ahead of their game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Cecconi is an extra pitcher for the bullpen, and since he was last demoted in mid-August, he has posted a 3.72 ERA (four earned runs in 9 2/3 innings) in seven games at Triple-A Reno.

Barrosa is a versatile backup option for manager Torey Lovullo. He is a switch hitter, has enough speed to be considered as a pinch runner and is considered an excellent defensive outfielder.

Pitching duel between Diamondbacks and Dodgers on Monday

Dodgers at Diamondbacks, 1:10 p.m., Cox, Chapter 34

Diamondbacks LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (2-0, 5.06) vs. Dodgers RHP Jack Flaherty (10-6, 3.07).

At Chase Field: Rodriguez allowed five runs in 5 1/3 innings against the Mets on Wednesday, with most of the damage coming in a four-run fourth inning. … Rodriguez has made four starts since returning from the injured list, going at least five innings in each but no more than 5 2/3 innings. … In his last start, Rodriguez’s fastball velocity increased, averaging 92.1 mph, right up his average last season with the Tigers. … Flaherty allowed three runs in six innings in a loss to Baltimore last week. Since joining the Dodgers in a deadline deal, he has made five starts and posted a 3.49 ERA with seven walks and 34 strikeouts in 28 1/3 innings. … In May, he played against the Diamondbacks, allowing two runs in six innings. The game was heated; both he and the people in the Diamondbacks’ dugout were caught on camera yelling at each other. It’s not entirely clear what the argument was about, but Flaherty kept digging out a landing spot on the mound that bothered RHP Zac Gallen.

Soon

Tuesday: In San Francisco, 6:45 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Ryne Nelson (9-6, 4.22) against Giants LHP Kyle Harrison (7-6, 4.22).

Wednesday: In San Francisco, 6:45 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Zac Gallen (10-6, 3.87) vs. Giants RHP Hayden Birdsong (3-4, 5.14).

Thursday: In San Francisco, 12:45 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Merrill Kelly (4-0, 4.30) vs. Giants LHP Blake Snell (2-3, 3.56).

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