Torey Lovullo stands behind Fernando Rodney as Diamondbacks closer

Manager Torey Lovullo said before Sunday’s game he’d have “zero hesitation” going to Fernando Rodney in a save situation, despite some early-season struggles for the Diamondbacks’ closer.

“None whatsoever,” Lovullo said.

He stood by his comments, handing the ball to Rodney in the ninth inning on Sunday and watching as Rodney delivered his fourth save in as many opportunities. He worked around a one-out walk by getting the Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig to ground into a game-ending double play, preserving a 3-1 victory.

Certainly, if Lovullo were to make a change, it would be a quick hook. However, Rodney entered the day having allowed seven runs (six earned) in 4 1/3 innings while also having to weather a sea of baserunners, with seven hits and four walks allowed.

On Saturday night, Rodney gave up a three-run homer to Puig in a non-save situation, an appearance he and Lovullo had coordinated before the game as a way to stay sharp.

“I was just want to keep warming up,” Rodney said on Sunday morning. “Sometimes you have four or five days where you don’t pitch and you don’t feel the same. That’s why I pitched last night.”

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Asked what he’s seen thus far out of Rodney’s appearances, Lovullo said, “He’s had some really, really easy moments. Clean, easy moments where his innings have been quick and Fernando Rodney-like. And then yesterday (Saturday night) unfortunately there was a little bit of a hiccup.”

Well, kind of. Only one, or perhaps two, of Rodney’s five outings could reasonably be considered “really, really easy.”

And the definition of a “Rodney-like” outing might be up for debate. During Rodney’s time with the Mariners, Seattle Times reporter Ryan Divish gave a name to his appearances – “The Fernando Rodney Experience” – because Rodney would routinely walk a tightrope in save situations, often putting the tying run on base.

“Overall, I think he’s done exactly what we’ve asked,” Lovullo said. “He’s closed out the games that we’ve needed him to, taken pressure off the rest of the bullpen and made sure he’s anchored down that area.”

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Defensive concern?

The Diamondbacks entered Sunday with a National League-leading 13 errors, but Lovullo said he had “minimal concern” about his club, saying his players and coaches are working hard to be more consistent.

“It’s a very strong ingredient that makes me think things are going to be OK,” he said. “Errors are a part of the game. Errors are something that takes place in every inning of every game.”

The Diamondbacks entered the day with seven unearned runs allowed, tying for the second-highest total in the league.

“It’s just a matter of how you work through those moments,” Lovullo said. “The pitchers have some responsibilities to help out their teammates and I think that’s something we’re preaching right now.”

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Short hops

Right-hander Jake Barrett (shoulder) will see his next game action on Tuesday, Lovullo said.

Outfielder Gregor Blanco (oblique) will take batting practice and be on a “regular throwing program” for the next three days, Lovullo said, before the club determines what the next step will be in his recovery.

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

Monday’s game

Diamondbacks at Dodgers

When: 7:10 p.m.

Where: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles.

Pitchers: Diamondbacks LHP Robbie Ray (1-0, 2.19) vs. Dodgers RHP Brandon McCarthy (2-0, 1.50).

TV/Radio: FSAZ/KMVP-FM (98.7), KHOV-FM (105.1).

Ray walked five batters against the Giants last week at AT&T Park, but he managed to work around them, tossing 6 2/3 shutout innings in a 4-3 win. … This will be Ray’s first start against a team other than the Giants. He’s had success against the Dodgers in the past, posting a 2.96 ERA in eight career starts against them, including a 2.52 ERA in four starts at Dodger Stadium. … McCarthy gave up two runs in six innings against the Padres in his first start of the year and followed that with six scoreless against the Cubs at Wrigley Field last week. … According to Pitch-f/x data, McCarthy is throwing more cut fastballs this season than he did the previous two years, using the pitch 17.8 percent of the time. … A former Diamondbacks pitcher, he has faced his old team only once in his career, an outing that came last season. He threw six scoreless innings with no walks and eight strikeouts in a start at Chase Field.

Coming up

Tuesday: At San Diego, 7:10 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Shelby Miller (1-1, 5.06) vs. Padres RHP Jared Cosart (0-0, 3.86).

Wednesday: At San Diego, 7:10 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Zack Greinke (1-1, 4.32) vs. Padres RHP Jhoulys Chacin (1-2, 7.80).

Thursday: At San Diego, 6:10 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Patrick Corbin (1-2, 2.81) vs. Padres LHP Clayton Richard (1-2, 3.60).