Braves reclaim lead on Freeman homer

The Diamondbacks get back to work Friday when they take on the Braves in Atlanta. Check back here for notes, updates and analysis throughout the game. 

Freeman puts Braves ahead

After the Diamondbacks scratched across their first run of the night against right-hander R.A. Dickey, the Braves got a solo homer from Freddie Freeman to move back in front, 2-1, on Friday night.

With runners on first and third in the top of the sixth, Daniel Descalso lined an RBI single through the middle on a ball deflected by Dickey. That drove home Chris Owings to tie the game at 1.

After Jeff Mathis followed with a single of his own to load the bases, the Diamondbacks sent pitcher Taijuan Walker to the plate with one out rather than replace him with a pinch-hitter.

Walker proceeded to ground into an inning-ending double play. Walker nearly beat the throw to first but the Braves got the call; the Diamondbacks did not challenge.

With one out in the bottom of the inning, Freeman connected for a solo shot, depositing the ball into the right-field seats.

Braves hold early lead

Matt Kemp’s RBI single in the first inning remains the only run of the game as the Atlanta Braves own a 1-0 lead over the Diamondbacks after four innings on Friday night at SunTrust Park.

Braves right-hander R.A. Dickey has had to work around a slew of baserunners – he has allowed four hits, two walks and a hit batter – but has kept the Diamondbacks from scoring. The Diamondbacks are 0 for 6 with men in scoring position.

Ex-Diamondbacks outfielder Ender Inciarte led off the bottom of the first with an opposite-field double and scored three batters later when Kemp pulled a single through the left side.

D-Backs’ 1st-time All-Stars share their experiences

Even days after his first All-Star experience, left-hander Robbie Ray was wide-eyed discussing it. Third baseman Jake Lamb, another first-timer, played it a little more cool on Friday afternoon, but he, too, got a kick out of it.

“He liked the police escort on the way to the game, the sirens and the lights,” five-time All-Star Paul Goldschmidt said of Lamb. “That might have been his highlight.”

Ray didn’t get in the game on Tuesday night in Miami – he was ticketed for long-relief duties that never materialized – but he said being in the same clubhouse and dugout as some of the best players in the game was humbling.

“I just kind of soaked it all in, sat at my locker, looked around and saw all the big-name guys,” Ray said. “To be in that room with those guys, it was something special. … I was like a kid in a candy shop.”

Ray said he brought back jerseys, baseballs, a signed bat, cleats and other memorabilia.

Lamb, who walked in his only plate appearance, called it a “once-in-a-lifetime experience” made even more memorable because he was surrounded by more than a dozen friends and family members.

Lamb was one of the players on the field with his phone on Monday night taking photos and video during the Home Run Derby.

“It was something I always watched growing up as a kid, and it was fun just being there right on the field seeing some of the guys the amount of power they have,” Lamb said. “Aaron Judge, specifically, was really impressive.”

Working back

Right-handers J.J. Hoover and Rubby De La Rosa are progressing from their shoulder injuries, Lovullo said, with Hoover throwing an inning on Thursday night for Low-A Kane County.

Hoover allowed a run on two hits, striking out two. Lovullo was asked if Hoover was assured of recovering his spot in the bullpen once he’s healthy.

“I don’t know that answer,” he said. “Nothing is imminent, and we just want to get him healthy right now, at this point.”

Hoover had a 4.18 ERA in 23 2/3 innings before landing on the DL, but he was far more effective in his first 13 appearances (1.69 ERA) than he was in the next 18 (6.23 ERA).

De La Rosa threw a bullpen session on Thursday and is scheduled to make an appearance in a rookie-level Arizona League game on Saturday.

Getting ready

The Diamondbacks wanted to get an early look at SunTrust Park during a workout on Thursday, but they were cut short by rain after about 15 minutes.

So they tried to learn all they could during batting practice on Friday. Among the pregame work they did: first-base/outfield coach Dave McKay hit fly balls off walls so outfielders could get a sense for how it played.

“It’s one of those things where we haven’t been here before, so we have to make sure we get as comfortable as possible in the amount of time we have,” manager Torey Lovullo said.

Lineup

A.J. Pollock is batting leadoff for the Diamondbacks when they open a series against the Braves in Atlanta. Jeff Mathis will be behind the plate for starting pitcher Taijuan Walker. 

Bradley fired up

ATLANTA – The general consensus during the All-Star break was that the Los Angeles Dodgers, with their 7 1/2-game lead in the National League West, have relegated the Diamondbacks to also-ran, wild-card-pursuer status.

Reliever Archie Bradley heard some of that talk the past few days, and it has him fired up to start the season’s proverbial second half, which gets underway for the Diamondbacks on Friday evening here at SunTrust Park.

“I pay attention to baseball,” Bradley said. “I don’t read every article and stuff. But just seeing, not that we need bulletin-board material, but hearing people already saying the Dodgers have stuff locked up and we’re fighting for a wild card, and knowing what we did this first half and the way we surprised people outside this clubhouse – and maybe even surprised people in this clubhouse – I think with what we did, we’re all ready to get going.”

The Diamondbacks saw their deficit in the division go from 1 1/2 games on June 27 to 7 1/2 at the break after a stretch in which they went 3-8, including a three-game sweep by the Dodgers in Los Angeles from July 4-6.

The Diamondbacks clearly are in strong position for a playoff spot. Despite their deficit in the division, they have a 9 1/2-game lead on a wild-card spot.

The Dodgers are 9-1 in their past 10 games and are 26-4 since June 7.

“We know where the Dodgers are in the standings,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. “I’ve had plenty of time to look at it and reflect on what we did, but I’m not so concerned about the other teams. I know there’s a long, long way to go and a lot of baseball to be played. Anything is a possibility.”

For the past month or so, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has been outspoken about how he views his club in relation to the rest of the division. After their sweep at Dodger Stadium, Roberts said, “From Day 1, we knew we were the best club; it’s just a matter of going out and playing.”

Said Bradley: “Yeah, we’ve seen those quotes. They are what they are. I think we’re just focused on us. Hearing some of those comments, they kind of get at you a little bit. I’m just ready to play baseball. It was a nice little break, but I think we’re all ready.

“It’s a lot different, obviously, than in years’ past, when you come back from the All-Star break and you know the road ahead of you is leading where you want to be headed. And we’re on that road. I think that’s the biggest thing.”

MORE: D-Backs facing key questions as postseason pursuit resumes

Tomas update

Yasmany Tomas hasn’t played since June 2 due to groin injuries, and Lovullo suggested on Thursday that his slugging left fielder wasn’t particularly close to a return, intimating that he likely wouldn’t return before the end of the month.

“I think he’s just slowly beginning the process of getting back on his feet and doing baseball activity or some really, really light baseball activity,” Lovullo said.

The Diamondbacks have played well during Tomas’ absence, going 19-13 in their past 32 games entering Friday, but the club has struggled against left-handed pitching, and Tomas’ power right-handed bat likely would help in that area.

MORE: Diamondbacks offering free kids ticket with paid adult

Short hops

• Lovullo asked his four All-Stars – Paul Goldschmidt, Jake Lamb, Zack Greinke and Robbie Ray – to skip Thursday’s workout at SunTrust Park. “I told the four All-Stars, ‘You guys haven’t had any time off and, if you want, just show up on Friday and be ready to go.’”
• Lovullo said he would share more information on reliever J.J. Hoover’s recovery from shoulder issues, intimating that Hoover would soon start a rehab assignment. Hoover was listed on the roster for the club’s Low-A Kane County affiliate, according to minor-league baseball’s web site.
• Lovullo said right-hander Rubby De La Rosa, who is also out with shoulder problems, continues to progress, and that the club still believes his injury to be minor. “It was more about strengthening and making sure the muscle didn’t go backwards,” Lovullo said. De La Rosa reported stiffness in his shoulder after his July 5 relief appearance.
• The Diamondbacks spent more time getting to SunTrust Park than they did working out. Rain halted their workout after about 20 minutes; it took about an hour for them to get to the ballpark. “Remind me to never fight rush hour traffic in Atlanta,” Lovullo said. “It was brutal.”

Friday’s game 

Diamondbacks at Braves

When: 4:35 p.m.

Where: SunTrust Park, Atlanta.

Pitchers: Diamondbacks RHP Taijuan Walker (6-4, 3.65) vs. Braves RHP R.A. Dickey (6-5, 4.23).

TV/Radio: FSAZ/KTAR-AM (620), KHOV-FM (105.1).

Walker finished the first half on a down note, turning in what was perhaps his worst start of the season. He gave up five runs in five innings against the Reds, walking three and striking out four. … In his four previous starts since returning from the disabled list, Walker had posted a 2.96 ERA in 24 1/3 innings. … He has been effective pitching while runners are in scoring position, holding opponents to a .217 average and a .621 OPS. … Dickey, a knuckleballer in his 15th big league season, has been highly effective in recent outings, giving up just three runs in 27 innings (1.00 ERA) in his past four starts. Most recently he held the Washington Nationals to one run in seven innings. … He has a career 1.64 ERA against the Diamondbacks, a team he hasn’t faced since 2012. … IF/OF Daniel Descalso is 5 for 10 career against Dickey and 1B Paul Goldschmidt is 2 for 5 with a walk.

Coming up

Saturday: At Atlanta, 4:10 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Patrick Corbin (6-9, 4.71) vs. Braves RHP Mike Foltynewicz (7-5, 3.77).

Sunday: At Atlanta, 10:35 a.m., Diamondbacks RHP Zack Godley (3-3, 2.58) vs. Braves LHP Jaime Garcia (2-7, 4.55).

Monday: Off.

Tuesday: At Cincinnati, 4:10 p.m., Diamondbacks TBA vs. Reds RHP Sal Romano (1-1, 4.50).

Up next: Atlanta Braves

Braves update: In the third year of their rebuild, the Braves are a more competitive team, though not yet a good one. They’ve yet to spend a day over .500, though they’ve come close in recent weeks. On July 2, after winning for the 12th time in 18 games, the Braves moved to 40-41. They entered the All-Star break with a 42-45 mark. They’re averaging 4.66 runs per game – ninth in the National League – and own a 4.68 ERA, the third-worst mark in the league. 1B/3B Freddie Freeman recently returned from the disabled list after a seven-week absence due to a wrist injury. He is their best hitter – he’s hitting .348/.456/.745 – and one of the best hitters in the majors. He has been playing some third base since coming back to create room for 1B Matt Adams, who swung the bat well in Freeman’s absence. Adams is hitting .292/.339/.608. None of the Braves’ starters are having especially strong seasons; RHP Mike Foltynewicz has a 3.77 ERA, with 81 strikeouts in 93 innings, and RHP R.A. Dickey and RHP Julio Teheran have thrown 104 1/3 and 103 innings, respectively. 

Reach Piecoro at (602) 444-8680 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @nickpiecoro.