Diamondbacks reliever Andrew Chafin may have suffered a first when it comes to professional sports injuries: He broke a crown because he was chewing his gum too hard.
In last Wednesday’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Chafin gave up a two-out double to Enrique Hernandez in the 9th inning. That’s when he snapped, literally.
“Well, I just gave up a double so I was a little bitter so I probably chomped my gum a little harder than normal,” Chafin said. “It was a tooth I had a root canal on and fillings and then we put a crown on top of it so once you grind it all the way down and put a crown on it there ain’t much there. It’s like a little stir stick straw thing holding my tooth together.”
Chafin promptly put the broken tooth into his back pocket. Distracted, he walked the next two hitters before finally getting Kyle Farmer to ground out to end the inning.
“I went back in the dugout and smiled and everybody said, ‘What happened?’ ” Chafin said.
Chafin paid a visit to the dentist the next day but the incident only reinforced his reputation among teammates that he’s a bit of a goofball.
“They said, ‘You’re a hillbilly, teeth falling out and all that stuff,’ ” Chafin said. “I’m like, ‘Yeah, that’s about right.’ ”
The moral of the story?
“Don’t give up doubles,” Chafin said.
Rotation set
Manager Torey Lovullo said the Diamondbacks’ rotation is set through Thursday’s game at Houston so the earliest Robbie Ray could get back on the mound for Arizona is Friday at Minnesota.
Ray threw a simulated game on Saturday and Lovullo said the club hadn’t decided what will be the next step in his rehabilitation.
Crowd noise
Lovullo on the Dodgers and Cubs fans that have invaded Chase Field the last week:
“We know it’s a diverse group,” he said. “I wouldn’t say they’re completely cheering for the Arizona Diamondbacks … For the first part of this series I could only hear the Cub fans. But (Saturday) when we did something special the Diamondbacks fans were there. We felt the energy and heard the cheers of the Arizona Diamondbacks fans. We really enjoyed that.”
Short hops
Lovullo said outfielder Yasmany Tomas, on the disabled list with a groin injury, “looked very good” running the bases and taking swings against Ray in the simulated game and could be playing in games soon … Reliever Randall Delgado (elbow) is throwing from 120 feet but Lovullo said there’s no timetable set for his return to game action.
Godley gave up three runs in 6 2/3 innings against the Dodgers on Tuesday, his third consecutive quality start. … He faced the Cubs last week on Aug. 2 at Wrigley Field and threw six scoreless innings, allowing just three hits and two walks while striking out five. … Godley is holding opponents to a .222 average with runners in scoring position. … Arrieta has been on a roll since the start of July, logging a 2.18 ERA in seven starts spanning 45 1/3 innings. … He gave up three runs (two earned) in a start against the Giants at AT&T Park on Monday. … He matched up against Godley on Aug. 2 and threw well, giving up two runs (one earned) in seven innings but took the loss.
Sunday’s lineup
Gregor Blanco gets the start in center field Sunday.
Coming up
Monday: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Zack Greinke (13-5, 3.14) vs. Astros RHP Collin McHugh (0-1, 5.32).
Tuesday: At Chase Field, 12:40 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Anthony Banda (1-2, 4.60) vs. Astros RHP Brad Peacock (10-1, 3.07).
Wednesday: At Houston, 5:10 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Taijuan Walker (6-6, 3.76) vs. Astros RHP Charlie Morton (9-5, 3.83).
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