Tim Tawa was in the lineup yet again for the Diamondbacks on Wednesday night, Sept. 23, his 100th game of the season and a sign of the faith that the club and manager Torey Lovullo have found in him this season.
Tawa entered Wednesday night having reached base safely in a career-high 18 straight road games, with an OPS of .833 including three doubles, three home runs, 10 runs batted in, seven walks and a stolen base.
Tawa missed a routine catch in left field on Tuesday night, but the Diamondbacks won the game. He's been a valuable piece on defense, having started at first base (43 games), center field (16, including Wednesday), left field (15 games), third base (3), right field (2) and DH (1).
"I just think that the work has never changed for me,"
Tawa said. "I've always tried to show up and put in my best effort, and that's the preparation, the time put in, it's the cage time. I don't think that's changed.
"It's just continuing to believe in myself and go out there and let the results fall where they will."
Tawa goes back to a series at Dodger Stadium in July, when he worked hard on hitting with a velocity machine and went 7 for 13 with seven RBIs and two home runs.
"How early can I be ready to hit the ball? And then we've tried to go from there," Tawa said.
Tawa has found himself in the lineup for key games down the stretch as the Diamondbacks cling to postseason hopes.
"You want to give yourself a chance to make the playoffs and be in the playoffs," Tawa said. "That's why you play. ... It's exciting to stay in contention. We're just going to focus on what we can, control what we can and let the chips fall where they may."
Rotation to remain the same
The Diamondbacks don't plan to switch up anything in their starting rotation this week as they make a final push for the postseason. It's set up to be Eduardo Rodriguez on Thursday in the series finale in Colorado, then Brandon Pfaadt, Corbin Burnes and Michael Soroka in San Diego.
"We'll start to have some conversations. I don't think we have much wiggle room," Lovullo said. "It's just a matter of, and it started two weeks ago maybe longer, I'm not sure. We've got to get to a certain point in the game and hand it off to the bullpen."
Diamondbacks at Rockies, 5:40 p.m., Cox, Ch. 34
At Colorado, 5:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Merrill Kelly (9-14, 5.00) vs. Rockies RHP Mason Adams (0-1, 5.09)
At Coors Field: Kelly is pitching to keep the Diamondbacks' postseason hopes alive, and he'll need to find something extra. He allowed 3 earned runs on seven hits in 4⅔ innings on Sept. 16, in a 4-3 home loss to the Miami Marlins, in his last start. Kelly struck out nine but was dissatisfied with his performance. He's had a disappointing season by his own standards and has been unable to make it to five innings in each of his last two starts. ... Adams was tagged for six runs in 4⅓ innings in his last start, Sept. 16, against San Diego. Adams has never faced the Diamondbacks in his career and made his major league debut on Aug. 25.
Coming up
Thursday, Sept. 24: At Colorado, 12:10 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (15-7, 2.89) vs. Rockies RHP Tanner Gordon (1-5, 6.01).
Friday, Sept. 25: At San Diego, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Brandon Pfaadt (7-3, 3.72) vs. Padres RHP Casey Mize (6-9, 3.96).
Saturday, Sept. 26: At San Diego, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Corbin Burnes (0-0, 7.84) vs. Padres RHP Walker Buehler (9-6, 4.56).
(This story has been updated to add information.)
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Diamondbacks vs Rockies live updates. Tawa to start in milestone game
