Ryne Nelson on his start during a Diamondbacks loss to the Phillies
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Ryne Nelson discusses his latest start, which occured during a loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Sept. 19.
The Diamondbacks jumped on the Philadelphia Phillies for six runs in their first two trips to the plate, and they lead 6-0 as play continued in the third inning on Sunday afternoon, Sept. 21, giving them a big, early lead as they look to gain a game in the wild-card race.
If the Diamondbacks can complete the victory, they would move to within one game of the third wild-card spot in the National League. The Cincinnati Reds, who beat the Chicago Cubs, 1-0, moved into a tie with the New York Mets for that final spot. The Diamondbacks would be one game behind both teams.
Ketel Marte doubled and scored on a fielder’s choice groundout in the first inning, then delivered a two-run single ahead of Corbin Carroll’s three-run homer in the Diamondbacks’ five-run second inning.
In both innings, the Diamondbacks took advantage of some at-best questionable defensive plays by the Phillies. In the first inning, first baseman Bryce Harper appeared to have a play at the plate to cut down Marte for the first run, but instead threw to second in hopes of turning a double play. Carroll beat the return throw to first.
In the second, third baseman Alec Bohm took too long on a slow roller, allowing Tim Tawa to leg out an infield single. Two batters later, the Phillies couldn’t pick up Jorge Barrosa’s sac bunt attempt quickly enough to get him at first; Barrosa legged out an infield single, setting the stage for big hits by Marte and Carroll.
Left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez has worked around baserunners in every inning to post three scoreless frames.
—Nick Piecoro
Diamondbacks call on Austin Pope to help out
Right-handed pitcher Austin Pope was brought before manager Jeff Gardner in Albuquerque and told he wasn’t going to get to the target of 30 innings of work this season with the Reno Aces, with the last day of the Triple-A season on Sunday, Sept. 21. Pope had a flight booked for New York to return home for the offseason.
Then he was told he’d get to 30 innings — Pope was at 29 ⅓ — with the help of a trip to the major leagues. Pope, 26, got called up to the Diamondbacks on Sunday, and when he pitches, will make his major league debut.
The Diamondbacks designated RHP Jake Woodford for assignment to make room for Pope.
Pope was a 15th-round draft pick of the Diamondbacks in 2019. It’s the only big-league organization he’s ever known, so for him it was special to reunite with former minor league teammates now with the Diamondbacks.
“I consider a lot of people in this building family, and it’s definitely special to be here,” Pope said before Sunday’s game.
Pope had knee surgery last offseason, and when he got to Reno he saw a lot of new faces. That’s when he realized that most of the guys he knew were up with the Diamondbacks.
“In Reno, to be successful there … it’s the walks,” Pope said. “Walks score. If you walk a guy, you’ve got to get a double play ball, or else that guy’s scoring.”
Pope’s family members were able to get an early-morning flight from the East Coast to make the game on Sunday.
—Jose M. Romero
Lovullo: Lawlar likely limited to DH duties
Jordan Lawlar’s struggles in the field likely mean he won’t be playing defense the rest of the season, manager Torey Lovullo said.
Earlier this month, Lawlar made errors that led to a loss against the Boston Red Sox and committed two more that the team was able to overcome in a win over the Minnesota Twins.
“We’ve gotten down to the studs on his foundation and we’ve got to get things kind of built back up,” Lovullo said. “He understands that. I want him to play. I want him to be on the field. I want him to be as good as everybody has been telling me he possibly could be.
“But this is real stuff. This is big-boy stuff here. We’ve got to figure it out. We’re going to row that boat with him. While we’re in it, I’m going to focus mostly as a DH.”
Lovullo said there could be in-game maneuvers that lead to Lawlar playing defense, but for now, he likely will be limited to starts at designated hitter – which is where he is for the Sunday, Sept. 21, series finale against the Philadelphia Phillies – against left-handed starters.
Lawlar has been working before games at third base with the club’s infield coaches, but hasn’t played defensively since the team was in Minnesota.
“He wants to play,” Lovullo said. “He wants to contribute. He wants to be on the field for every inning of every game. And I respect that. But I think he respects that we see something that needs to improve. He’s very willing to go out and make some minor adjustments.”
—Nick Piecoro
Phillies at Diamondbacks, 1:10 p.m., Cox, Ch. 34.
Diamondbacks LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (8-8, 5.12) vs. Phillies LHP Ranger Suarez (12-6, 2.84).
At Chase Field: Rodriguez hasn’t lost since Aug. 25, even though he gave up five earned runs on eight hits in five innings on Sept. 16 against San Francisco. In six career home starts against NL East opponents, he is 3-0 with a 2.78 ERA. 12 walks and 39 strikeouts. The Diamondbacks are 8-1 in his nine starts since the All-Star break. … Suarez has not lost a game since Aug. 12, and is 2-0 in September with a no-decision.
Coming up
Monday, Sept. 22: Off.
Tuesday, Sept. 23: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Brandon Pfaadt (13-8, 5.02) vs. Dodgers RHP Shohei Ohtani (1-1, 3.29).
Wednesday, Sept. 24: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Ryne Nelson (7-3, 3.34) vs. Dodgers LHP Blake Snell (5-4, 2.44).
Thursday, Sept. 25: At Chase Field, 12:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Zac Gallen (13-14, 4.70) vs. Dodgers RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto (11-8, 2.58).