WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBTorey Lovullo after D-Backs pound Padres 9-1 | 0:48
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo on his team’s easy win over the San Diego Padres on Saturday night. Nick Piecoro/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBTorey Lovullo on D-Backs’ blowout win vs. Padres | 1:15
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo talks about his team’s eight-run first inning and right-hander Taijuan Walker’s sharp outing vs. the Padres. Nick Piecoro/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBTaijuan Walker tosses six scoreless vs. Padres | 1:02
Diamondbacks right-hander Taijuan Walker gave up just two hits in six scoreless innings, but he wasn’t satisfied with the way he threw on Friday night in a win over the Padres. Nick Piecoro/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBBrandon Drury homers in win vs. Padres | 1:05
The Diamondbacks’ Brandon Drury talks about his team’s offensive outburst vs. the Padres on Friday night at Petco Park. Nick Piecoro/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBWatch out for Dodgers; Cards CBs apply for job | 1:58
azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Dan Bickley discuss the NBA MVP, the Diamondbacks and the Dodgers and the Arizona Cardinals’ defensive backs.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBDiamondbacks outlast Mets in extra innings | 1:00
D-Backs manager Torey Lovullo, catcher Chris Herrmann and left-hander Patrick Corbin react to the 5-4 win against the Mets, sweeping the series, May 17, 2017.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBDiamondbacks discuss close win over Mets | 1:13
Manager Torey Lovullo, right-hander Zack Greinke and first baseman Paul Goldschmidt react to Tuesday’s 5-4 Diamondbacks win. Sarah McLellan/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBDiamondbacks’ Zack Godley talks after win over Mets | 1:36
D-Backs’ Zack Godley talks pitching and gameplay after his team’s 7-3 win over the Mets, May 15, 2017.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBDiamondbacks’ Torey Lovullo talks upbeat pace in win over Mets | 1:13
D-Backs’ Torey Lovullo discusses the pace his team kept during a 7-3 win over the Mets, May 15, 2017.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBA.J. Pollock discusses his injury after loss to Pirates | 0:59
Diamondbacks center fielder A.J. Pollock talks about the injury that forced him to leave Sunday’s loss to the Pirates. Nick Piecoro/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBDavid Peralta downplays his injury vs. Pirates | 1:25
Diamondbacks outfielder David Peralta doesn’t think his glute injury is significant, he said. Nick Piecoro/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBTorey Lovullo on injuries, loss vs. Pirates | 1:59
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo breaks down his team’s 6-4 loss to the Pirates on Sunday and provides updates on his injured outfielders. Nick Piecoro/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBChris Iannetta talks about scary HBP vs. Pirates | 1:20
Diamondbacks catcher Chris Iannetta says he ‘got lucky on all accounts’ after being hit in the face by a 93 mph fastball on Friday night vs. the Pirates. Nick Piecoro/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBDiamondbacks rally falls short against Pirates | 1:12
Manager Torey Lovullo, right-hander Taijuan Walker and shortstop Nick Ahmed react to the 4-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates, May 13, 2017.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBLovullo: Iannetta “said he could play tonight if he had to” after HBP | 1:05
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo provides an update on catcher Chris Iannetta, who was hit in the face by a pitch during Friday’s game, before Saturday’s game. Bob McManaman/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBDiamondbacks overwhelm Pirates 11-4 | 1:13
Manager Torey Lovullo, second baseman Brandon Drury and left-hander Patrick Corbin react to 11-4 win against the Pirates, May 12, 2017.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBKaepernick blackballed? Greinke now trade bait? | 1:59
Shot Clock: Colin Kaepernick is better than Blaine Gabbert, right? So why did the Cardinals not sign him? Also, Zack Greinke has his Randy Johnson moment … what does it mean for Diamondbacks?
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBZack Greinke on his near no-hitter against Pirates | 2:17
Diamondbacks pitcher Zack Greinke describes his night, in which he nearly threw a no-hitter against the Pirates.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBLovullo reacts to Greinke’s near no-hitter in win | 1:56
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo reacts to Zack Greinke’s near-no-hit performance in Thursday’s win over the Pirates.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBDiamondbacks snap losing streak with win over Tigers | 0:56
Manager Torey Lovullo, right-hander Zack Godley and shortstop Nick Ahmed react to the 7-1 win.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBDiamondbacks drop third straight with loss to Tigers | 0:46
Manager Torey Lovullo and left-hander Robbie Ray react to the 7-3 loss.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBShot Clock: D-Backs face pivotal homestand | 1:54
azcentral sports’ Sarah McLellan and Dan Bickley discuss the D-Backs’ difficulties on the road and the NBA’s big issue in the playoffs.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBTorey Lovullo after D-Backs’ latest loss to Rockies | 1:04
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo says defensive miscues cost them in a 5-2 loss to the Rockies on Sunday. Nick Piecoro/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBTaijuan Walker after loss to Rockies | 0:59
Diamondbacks right-hander Taijuan Walker talks about his outing vs. the Rockies at Coors Field on Sunday. Nick Piecoro/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBPatrick Corbin after being roughed up by Rockies | 1:23
Diamondbacks lefty Patrick Corbin was charged with eight runs in four-plus innings against the Rockies on Saturday night.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBD-Backs’ Torey Lovullo on ‘tough night’ at Coors Field | 1:21
Manager Torey Lovullo didn’t think his team played fundamentally sound in Saturday night’s 9-1 loss to the Colorado Rockies.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBZack Greinke on impressive outing vs. Rockies | 1:43
Diamondbacks right-hander Zack Greinke gave up two runs in seven innings in a win over the Rockies on Friday.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBManager Torey Lovullo after win over Rockies | 2:07
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo breaks down his team’s win over the Rockies on Friday night.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBManager Torey Lovullo after D-Backs lose series vs. Nationals | 2:08
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo on Braden Shipley’s outing and his offense’s struggles vs. Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer. Nick Piecoro/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBBraden Shipley after walking six in loss to Nationals | 1:37
Diamondbacks right-hander Braden Shipley gave up three runs in four-plus innings against the Nationals on Thursday afternoon. Nick Piecoro/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBD-Backs’ Torey Lovullo after loss to Nationals | 1:18
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo talks about his team’s inability to come up with a hit in a key situation on Wednesday night, May 3, 2017. Nick Piecoro/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBDiamondbacks’ Robbie Ray strikes out 10 in loss to Nationals | 0:53
Diamondbacks lefty Robbie Ray had everything working but still came away with a loss on Wednesday night in D.C., May 3, 2017. Nick Piecoro/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBTorey Lovullo on D-Backs’ 6-3 win over Nationals | 1:46
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said his pitching staff did well to hold the Nationals to three runs on Tuesday night.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBTaijuan Walker on his short start vs. Nationals | 1:39
Taijuan Walker didn’t blame a small strike zone for his abbreviated, 4 2/3-inning outing on Tuesday night.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBShot Clock: Rockets sizzle, D-Backs fizzle? | 1:49
azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Dan Bickley discuss the Rockets’ explosion against the Spurs and a possible pitching implosion for the Diamondbacks.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBA.J. Pollock on controversial play: “You guys saw the replay” | 1:41
Diamondbacks outfielder A.J. Pollock speaks about the controversial call that went against him in the 10th inning of Arizona’s win over the Rockies on Sunday. Bob McManaman/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBDescalso talks about walk-off home run over Rockies | 1:09
Diamondbacks’ Daniel Descalso talks about his two-run, walk-off homer to beat the Rockies in the 13th inning on Sunday. Bob McManaman/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBLovullo on pitching, more in D-Backs’ wild win | 1:45
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo discusses the team’s strong pitching fueling Arizona’s walk-off win over the Rockies on Sunday. Bob McManaman/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBCorbin discusses his scoreless outing vs. Rockies | 1:36
Diamondbacks starter Patrick Corbin talks about his strong, scoreless outing against the Rockies in Sunday’s win. Bob McManaman/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBFernando Rodney talks about his latest blown save | 1:29
Diamondbacks closer Fernando Rodney talks about his outing vs. the Rockies, and says he’ll have no trouble bouncing back from his latest setback. Nick Piecoro/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBZack Greinke after outing vs. Rockies | 1:22
Diamondbacks right-hander Zack Greinke talks about his start on Saturday night, in which he allowed three earned runs in six-plus innings vs. the Rockies. Nick Piecoro/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBD-Backs’ Shelby Miller to have Tommy John surgery | 1:33
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Shelby Miller explains his decision to undergo Tommy John surgery, April 29, 2017. (Nick Piecoro/azcentral sports)
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBDiamondbacks fall 3-1 to Rockies | 0:58
Manager Torey Lovullo, left-hander Robbie Ray and catcher Chris Iannetta react to the loss.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBChris Owings on his two-homer night | 0:49
Chris Owings talks about the first multi-homer game of his career, and how he’s feeling at the plate after homering three times in the past four games.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBD-Backs’ Taijuan Walker on his 11-strikeout performance vs. Padres | 1:15
Diamondbacks right-hander Taijuan Walker says his fastball was working well for him on Thursday night.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBD-Backs’ Shelby Miller considering Tommy John surgery | 1:06
Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Shelby Miller says he has a tear in his ulnar collateral ligament and that Tommy John surgery is an option, April 27, 2017. (Nick Piecoro/azcentral sports)
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBFernando Rodney reacts to his blown save against the Padres | 1:06
Diamondbacks closer Fernando Rodney on Wednesday’s blown save against San Diego.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBTorey Lovullo reacts to Diamondbacks’ ‘heartbreaking’ loss | 1:30
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo reacts to the Padres’ comeback win.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBDiamondbacks attendance hits new low | 0:41
Wednesday night’s game against the Padres drew the smallest crowd in Diamondbacks history.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBDiamondbacks pull away from Padres for 9-3 win | 1:16
Manager Torey Lovullo, first baseman Paul Goldschmidt and left-hander Patrick Corbin react to Tuesday’s win. Sarah McLellan/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBDiamondbacks hold on for win over Padres | 1:38
Manager Torey Lovullo, right-hander Zack Greinke and shortstop Chris Owings react to Monday’s home win over the Padres. Sarah McLellan/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBShelby Miller on his injury, visit with team doctor | 1:31
Diamondbacks right-hander Shelby Miller did not provide many details on his elbow injury on Monday, but he is planning to receive a second opinion on Tuesday in Los Angeles. Nick Piecoro/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBArizona Diamondbacks’ Shelby Miller discusses arm injury | 1:16
D-Backs’ Shelby Miller talks about arm injury suffered during the 6-2 loss to the Dodgers, April 23, 2017. (Scott Bordow/azcentral sports)
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBDavid Peralta on his record-setting night | 1:27
David Peralta talks about the Diamondbacks’ offense and his record-setting four doubles Saturday.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBRobbie Ray reacts to Saturday’s win over the Dodgers | 0:41
Diamondbacks starter Robbie Ray talks after his team’s 11-5 victory over the Dodgers.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBDiamondbacks use 9-run eighth to overwhelm Dodgers | 1:18
Manager Torey Lovullo, right-hander Taijuan Walker, shortstop Chris Owings and first baseman Paul Goldschmidt react to the 13-5 win.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBPaul Goldschmidt on D-Backs’ offense vs. Padres | 1:54
First baseman Paul Goldschmidt says the Diamondbacks couldn’t string together enough hits against the Padres on Thursday night.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBManager Torey Lovullo breaks down D-Backs’ loss, road trip | 1:57
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo talks about his team’s 4-1 loss to the Padres and their 4-6 road trip through San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego.
Diamondbacks’ Zack Godley talks after win over Mets
Diamondbacks’ Torey Lovullo talks upbeat pace in win over Mets
A.J. Pollock discusses his injury after loss to Pirates
David Peralta downplays his injury vs. Pirates
Torey Lovullo on injuries, loss vs. Pirates
Chris Iannetta talks about scary HBP vs. Pirates
Diamondbacks rally falls short against Pirates
Lovullo: Iannetta “said he could play tonight if he had to” after HBP
Diamondbacks overwhelm Pirates 11-4
Kaepernick blackballed? Greinke now trade bait?
Zack Greinke on his near no-hitter against Pirates
Lovullo reacts to Greinke’s near no-hitter in win
Diamondbacks snap losing streak with win over Tigers
Diamondbacks drop third straight with loss to Tigers
Shot Clock: D-Backs face pivotal homestand
Torey Lovullo after D-Backs’ latest loss to Rockies
Taijuan Walker after loss to Rockies
Patrick Corbin after being roughed up by Rockies
D-Backs’ Torey Lovullo on ‘tough night’ at Coors Field
Zack Greinke on impressive outing vs. Rockies
Manager Torey Lovullo after win over Rockies
Manager Torey Lovullo after D-Backs lose series vs. Nationals
Braden Shipley after walking six in loss to Nationals
D-Backs’ Torey Lovullo after loss to Nationals
Diamondbacks’ Robbie Ray strikes out 10 in loss to Nationals
Torey Lovullo on D-Backs’ 6-3 win over Nationals
Taijuan Walker on his short start vs. Nationals
Shot Clock: Rockets sizzle, D-Backs fizzle?
A.J. Pollock on controversial play: “You guys saw the replay”
Descalso talks about walk-off home run over Rockies
Lovullo on pitching, more in D-Backs’ wild win
Corbin discusses his scoreless outing vs. Rockies
Fernando Rodney talks about his latest blown save
Zack Greinke after outing vs. Rockies
D-Backs’ Shelby Miller to have Tommy John surgery
Diamondbacks fall 3-1 to Rockies
Chris Owings on his two-homer night
D-Backs’ Taijuan Walker on his 11-strikeout performance vs. Padres
D-Backs’ Shelby Miller considering Tommy John surgery
Fernando Rodney reacts to his blown save against the Padres
Torey Lovullo reacts to Diamondbacks’ ‘heartbreaking’ loss
Diamondbacks attendance hits new low
Diamondbacks pull away from Padres for 9-3 win
Diamondbacks hold on for win over Padres
Shelby Miller on his injury, visit with team doctor
Arizona Diamondbacks’ Shelby Miller discusses arm injury
David Peralta on his record-setting night
Robbie Ray reacts to Saturday’s win over the Dodgers
Diamondbacks use 9-run eighth to overwhelm Dodgers
Paul Goldschmidt on D-Backs’ offense vs. Padres
Manager Torey Lovullo breaks down D-Backs’ loss, road trip
Lovullo drops Lamb as D-Backs seek help vs. LHP
SAN DIEGO – With a left-hander on the mound Sunday in the Padres’ Clayton Richard, Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo dropped third baseman Jake Lamb from his customary cleanup spot into the No. 7 hole.
Lamb has struggled against lefties this season, hitting just .167, and opposing clubs recently have exploited those issues, pitching around No. 3 hitter Paul Goldschmidt to get to Lamb.
“It was obvious to me there was a certain game plan that lefties had against us, certain strategies they had against us,” Lovullo said. “I just wanted to take a little pressure off of Jake, allow him to not feel the pressure of the moment and have him deliver in certain situations.”
Lovullo said he still believes in Lamb and still plans to play him regularly against lefties. He said that although Lamb’s results haven’t been good, his at-bats against lefties have improved.
He said he called Lamb into his office last week at Chase Field to discuss the idea of dropping him in the lineup, and Lamb was on board, telling him to do whatever was best for the team.
Despite having a lineup filled predominantly with right-handed hitters, the Diamondbacks have not performed well against lefties, ranking just 11th in the league with a .708 OPS against them.
“I can’t explain it, either,” Lovullo said. “I felt like we had a very strong right-handed hitting team that was going to exploit left-handed pitching, and it’s just not happening right now. It’s my job to pay attention to those things and tinker and change when the time was right, and I felt like this was the right situation for it.”
D-Backs thriving despite Pollock injury
SAN DIEGO – A year ago, when the Diamondbacks lost center fielder A.J. Pollock to an elbow fracture just prior to Opening Day, the injury appeared to sink their season before it even began, seemingly sucking the life out of their lineup.
But since losing Pollock last weekend to a groin injury, the Diamondbacks are unbeaten in five games and averaging more than seven runs per game. Granted, it’s only been a week and they’re not facing the stiffest of competition, but the difference compared to last year has been stark.
“I’m not sure I’ve really put my finger on it,” hitting coach Dave Magadan said, “but I think when we had our meeting right after A.J. got hurt, we talked about how we’re just going to have to pick up the slack, and that’s exactly what guys have done.”
Outfielder Gregor Blanco was among those to speak up during that meeting, and he said Sunday he wanted to tell his teammates about his experience with the San Francisco Giants, who in recent years were able to overcome a number of key injuries.
“It’s not easy having such a good player like A.J. going on the DL,” Blanco said. “The team can kind of feel like, ‘Wow, now what?’”
But he said the Giants lost guys like Angel Pagan and Hunter Pence to injuries and Melky Cabrera to suspension but didn’t miss a beat. They did that, he said, because “everybody on the team (had) your back.”
“It was just that we had to step up and do the best for the team,” Blanco said. “I learned from that experience and I wanted to just bring it here and say it.
“That’s what winning teams do. That’s what I was trying to say. Everybody back each other up.”
The Diamondbacks still haven’t provided a timetable for Pollock’s return, other than to say he is expected to miss more than the minimum 10 days.
Sunday’s game
When: 1:40 p.m.
Where: Petco Park, San Diego.
Pitchers: Diamondbacks RHP Zack Godley (1-0, 1.93) vs. Padres LHP Clayton Richard (2-5, 4.86).
TV/Radio: FSAZ/KMVP-FM (98.7), KHOV-FM (105.1).
Godley threw well again on Monday night against the Mets, giving up just one run in 6 2/3 innings. He walked five but allowed just one hit, striking out seven. … In the start before that, he gave up one run in seven innings against the Tigers. … Opponents are just 2 for 12 with runners in scoring position against Godley. … Richard has been struggling in recent starts, posting a 6.67 ERA in his past five, including allowing six runs in six innings against the Brewers on Tuesday. … He threw well against the Diamondbacks at Petco Park on April 20 (6 2/3 innings, one run) but was hammered by them five days later at Chase Field (3 2/3 innings, six runs).
If there’s anything especially different about the way Zack Godley is pitching this year, something to explain the success he’s been having through three starts with the Diamondbacks, he points to the fingers his catchers have been putting down before every pitch.
“In the three games I’ve thrown so far, I think I’ve probably shaken a total of five or six times,” Godley said. “They know what needs to be called and I have all the trust in the world in them.”
While there’s probably some good fortune involved in the low hit total, he’s also suppressing hard contact; hitters’ average exit velocity against Godley is 82.9 mph, well below the big league average of 86.9 mph, according to Statcast data.
The Diamondbacks’ 9-1 victory on Saturday night against the San Diego Padres – a team they’ve outscored 19-2 in the first two games of this series – was their fifth consecutive win overall, following a three-game series sweep against a New York Mets team that the Diamondbacks caught at what might have been low point of the Mets’ season.
That’s not to take anything away from what they’ve accomplished; the wins all count the same in the end. It’s just that the Diamondbacks have been doing what good teams are supposed to do: They haven’t been missing the layups.
At 26-18, they own the league’s third-best record.
At plus-51, they have the second-best run differential.
For what it’s worth, they’re 11-10 against teams .500 or better and 15-8 against losing teams.
And no team appears to be worse than the Padres. Not only do they have the worst record in the league at 15-30, they also have the NL’s worst run differential, having been outscored by 89 runs through 45 games, putting them on pace to be outscored by 320 runs this season.
Coming up
Monday: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Zack Greinke (5-2, 3.09) vs. White Sox RHP Miguel Gonzalez (3-4, 4.29).
Tuesday: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Patrick Corbin (3-4, 4.38) vs. White Sox RHP Dylan Covey (0-3, 7.64).
Wednesday: At Chase Field, 12:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Taijuan Walker (4-3, 3.46) vs. White Sox LHP Jose Quintana (2-5, 3.92).