Record: 11-12-1. Change on 2025: -2. 5-inning Record: 7-15-2.
It isn’t typically a good day when every pitcher bar your ninth inning guy gets tagged for one or more earned runs, but today had its positives for the D-backs. The first would be a good start from Ryne Nelson, who went four innings, and gave up just a solo home-run. There were four hits in total, plus a walk, but six strikeouts. Kevin Ginkel, however, lasted just seven pitches, allowing a two-run homer, and I have to wonder if something was up with that. Philip Abner, Ryan Thompson and Taylor Clarke
each allowed one run – Abner’s outing lasted 1.2 innings – before Kade Stroud finally became our only pitcher to escape undamaged, with a scoreless ninth.
This one was 10-1 to Arizona by the end of the fourth, and that was also good to see. We got a five-run third, highlighted by James McCann’s first spring homer, a two-run shot. The Diamondbacks followed that up with a four-run fourth, LuJames Groover also going deep for the first time, this one plating three runs. Jacob Amaya had three of Arizona’s fourteen hits, with McCann and Grover each adding a knock in addition to their home-runs. Tim Tawa and Jordan Lawlar each notched a hit and a walk, while Manuel Pena drew two walks. The team was also active on the base-paths, Amaya swiping a pair of bags, and Lawlar getting his first SB.
The D-backs will stay at Salt River Fields for tomorrow’s game, which sees the Cubs come to visit. First pitch will be at 1:10 pm, with your scheduled starter Merrill Kelly, as he continues making his way back.
