Zac Gallen getting lit up, the Dbacks offense allowing an opposing pitcher to cruise through 8 innings needing only 95 pitches. I feel like I have typed this exact game recap multiple times already this season. So I will make this quick as there is not much that came from this game that is going to surprise anyone.
This was a worse game then the final score will show as if it wasn’t for the Rangers reliver losing all control for the strike zone in the 9th inning and walking the bases loaded, this
would’ve been a 7-1 loss. I put the late game runs on the Rangers reliever more so than I do on the Dbacks offense.
After the starting rotation had been rolling, leave it to Zac Gallen to break the streak of 6+ inning games and solid run prevention performance. Gallen allowed 7 runs in just 4.2 innings tonight while just being entirely to hittable. Gallen gave his team no chance tonight as he gave up a HR to the leadoff hitter old friend Joc Pederson on a center cut fastball at 93 mph. Once again, it was the fastball that bit Gallen as the pitch was down in velocity a full tick from his season average and he was able to generate just 1 whiff on the pitch. His once trademark knuckle-curveball was also ineffective today as that pitch also generated just 1 whiff as it was not fooling anyone.
It is sad for me to see Gallen fall so far when he is still just 30 years old and he was really betting on himself this year to get that big contract. However, the big payday just doesn’t appear to be in the cards anymore for the once top of the rotation star as his season ERA is now up to 5.65 after turning in another clunker. I feel as though he is not just one small tweak away from being competitive again either. Looks more like a reinvention is in store. Here is another thing to think about, if Corbin Burnes was ready to come back tomorrow, it would likely Gallen’s rotation spot that would be lost if decisions were made on performance.
The offense once again was unable to make an adjustment to their ultra-aggressive approach that has plagued them most of the season. They were only able to walk 1 time through the first 8 innings against a starting pitcher that has really struggled with the free pass all season. The number of pitches outside of the zone that the Dbacks hitters are swinging at is staggering. Of people that look particularly lost is Gabi Moreno who popped out on a pitch a foot below the zone, and then struck out in the 8th on a ball that literally bounced. No plate discipline whatsoever. Jose Fernandez also had some pretty bad at bats as it looks like the inconsistent playing time he’s been having as of late may be getting to him a little bit. Although the book on him is clearly out, spin away and Fernandez will chase.
I also want to note that there was a pivotal play in the 5th inning where with 2 outs Geraldo Perdomo stumbled trying to field a ground ball allowing the inning to go on and allowing what would be the decisive 5th run of the game to score. The Rangers would go on to score 2 more runs in the inning. Just another example of how critical defense can be as rather than Gallen getting through 5 innings of 4 run ball, he got pulled and didnt make it through the 5th inning and got charged with the additional 3 runs. Not saying it would’ve been an easy play for Perdomo and I’m certainly not making excuses for Gallen, however we have seen noticeably more booted balls from our SS this season as it looks like he may be trying to rush.
One of the few positives from this game from an offensive perspective was Ryan Waldschmidt continuing his advanced hitting approach taking a pitch low and away 101 mph to the right centerfield gap. To me, this swing really shows me something. Not just because his bat speed has been consistently registering in the 80 mph range producing 100+ mph rockets, but also because he didn’t get pull happy like so many of the Dbacks hitters and he took the ball where it was pitched from the other way using the big part of the field. He has really impressed me thus far. He also made another super catch in CF. I haven’t noticed any drop off at all not having Alek Thomas in CF.
Another positive that should be noted was a great game by Ildemaro Vargas as he hit a HR and had a big 9th inning RBI. It cant be understated how big he has been for this team.
The Dbacks will look to win their second straight series tomorrow in an uncharacteristic get-away evening game. This team will need Ryne Nelson to keep his momentum going and for the love of Pete, this offense needs to make an adjustment. See more pitches and take some walks and get some base traffic. Not every batter needs to be the hero. Pass the batton to the next guy.
