What's Happening?
The Arizona Diamondbacks took a 4-1 lead over the Boston Red Sox during their game at Chase Field on Saturday night, September 6. Right-hander Brandon Pfaadt delivered a solid performance, pitching six innings and allowing only one run. The Diamondbacks capitalized on an error by Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story in the second inning, which led to three runs. Jake McCarthy's ground ball slipped under Story's glove, allowing two runs to score, followed by a sacrifice fly from Geraldo Perdomo that added another run. The Red Sox managed to score one run in the third inning with Nate Eaton's double and Masataka Yoshida's single. Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo is focusing on rookie Jordan Lawlar's development by limiting his starts to matchups against left-handed pitchers, aiming to build his confidence.
Why It's Important?
This victory is crucial for the Diamondbacks as they aim to close the gap in the National League wild-card race. With the New York Mets losing earlier in the day, the Diamondbacks have the opportunity to move within 4.5 games of the third wild-card spot. The team's strategic approach to nurturing young talent like Jordan Lawlar reflects their long-term development goals. Lawlar's recent performances indicate potential growth, which could be significant for the Diamondbacks' future lineup. The game also highlights the importance of defensive plays and errors, as seen with Trevor Story's mistake, which had a direct impact on the game's outcome.
What's Next?
The Diamondbacks will continue their series against the Red Sox on Sunday, September 7, with Ryne Nelson facing Brayan Bello. Following this, they will travel to San Francisco for a series against the Giants starting Monday, September 8. Manager Torey Lovullo's strategy with Jordan Lawlar will likely continue, focusing on favorable matchups to enhance his performance. The Diamondbacks will aim to maintain their momentum and capitalize on opportunities to improve their standing in the wild-card race.
