Diamondbacks getting exposed by the grind of the season
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBChris Herrmann on D-Backs’ dressing up for Houston | 0:18
Catcher Chris Herrmann talks about the Diamondbacks dressing up like astronauts for their trip to Houston after Tuesday’s afternoon game.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBJake Lamb on loss to Astros | 0:35
Diamondbacks third baseman Jake Lamb discusses his team’s loss to the Astros on Tuesday.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBAllhands: Can this baseball marriage be saved? | 1:10
Maricopa County and the Arizona Diamondbacks are having marital problems. Columnist Joanna Allhands dispenses some Peanuts-style advice.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBTorey Lovullo on Zack Greinke’s strong outing vs. the Astros | 1:07
Lovullo: “He gave us a chance to play downhill baseball.” Nick Piecoro/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBZack Godley on outing vs. Cubs | 0:53
Godley: Made a couple of mistakes early Scott Bordow/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBTorey Lovullo on series loss to Cubs | 0:59
Lovullo: Godley gave team chance to win; offense couldn’t take advantage of Jake Arieta’s mistakes. Scott Bordow/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBPatrick Corbin tosses 6 2/3 scoreless innings vs. Cubs | 1:57
Diamondbacks lefty Patrick Corbin bounced back from a rough outing against the Cubs earlier this month.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBTorey Lovullo on D-Backs’ win over Cubs | 1:33
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo talks about Patrick Corbin’s outing in a 6-2 win over the Cubs on Saturday.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBTaijuan Walker on early struggles in loss | 1:38
Diamondbacks starter Taijuan Walker discusses his struggles in the first two innings of Friday’s home loss to the Cubs. Bob McManaman/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBTorey Lovullo on D-Backs’ opening loss to Cubs | 1:40
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo discusses his team’s 8-3 loss to the visiting Chicago Cubs on Friday. Bob McManaman/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBTorey Lovullo on his team’s loss to the Dodgers | 2:14
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo speaks to the media following his team’s loss to the Dodgers.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBAnthony Banda on his rough outing against the Dodgers | 1:13
Diamondbacks starter Anthony Banda speaks to the media following his outing against the Dodgers.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBShot Clock: Concerned about D-Backs’ Greinke? | 1:54
Dan Bickley and Scott Bordow discuss Diamondbacks ace Zack Greinke’s performance in the game against the Dodgers Wednesday night.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBZack Greinke laments his final inning in loss to Dodgers | 1:53
Zack Greinke discusses the mistakes he made in the seventh inning of the Diamondbacks’ loss to the Dodgers on Wednesday. Andrew Vailliencourt/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBTorey Lovullo after D-Backs’ loss to Dodgers | 2:33
Manager Torey Lovullo discusses the Diamondbacks’ “tough” loss to the Dodgers on Wednesday at Chase Field. Andrew Vailliencourt/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBArchie Bradley after win: ‘This is our home field’ | 1:30
Diamondbacks reliever Archie Bradley talks about the emotions involved in defending home field against the Dodgers on Tuesday at Chase Field. Richard Morin/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBShot Clock: Opinion changing on Bonds in Hall? | 1:56
Doug Haller and Mark Faller discuss Barry Bonds and the Baseball Hall of Fame.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBJake Lamb on his grand slam to beat Dodgers | 2:04
Diamondbacks third baseman Jake Lamb discusses his grand slam in the seventh inning to lead his team to a win over the Dodgers on Tuesday. Richard Morin/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBTorey Lovullo on D-Backs’ ‘pretty special’ win over Dodgers | 2:40
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo talks about his team’s win over the Dodgers on Tuesday at Chase Field. Richard Morin/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBTorey Lovullo on disappointing finish to D-Backs’ trip | 1:58
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo talks about the Diamondbacks’ 6-3 loss to the Giants on Sunday, which ended their 10-game road trip with a 5-5 record.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBAnthony Banda on his first big-league victory | 1:29
Anthony Banda talks about how it feels to win his first game in the big leagues.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBTorey Lovullo talks about Anthony Banda’s win vs. Giants | 2:00
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo was impressed with Anthony Banda’s ability to make adjustments during his outing against the Giants on Friday night.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBMcCain’s stadium advice, best AZ sports moment | 4:16
Arizona Senator John McCain joins the Shot Clock to talk Arizona sports.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBPaul Goldschmidt after three-homer game vs. Cubs | 1:49
Diamondbacks slugger Paul Goldschmidt talks about his three-homer game on Thursday afternoon against the Cubs.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBTorey Lovullo on D-Backs’ wild win over Cubs | 1:37
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo talks about his team’s 10-8 win over the Chicago Cubs on Thursday at Wrigley Field.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBJake Lamb on D-Backs’ bounce-back win over Cubs | 1:24
Third baseman Jake Lamb talks about the Diamondbacks’ ability to bounce back from an ugly loss to the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBTorey Lovullo on Godley’s performance, Lamb’s clutch hits | 1:33
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo talks about Zack Godley’s strong six innings and Jake Lamb’s two run-scoring doubles in a win over the Cubs.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBTorey Lovullo on miscues, Descalso’s pitching in 16-4 loss to Cubs | 1:32
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo talks about his team’s defensive miscues and infielder Daniel Descalso’s relief appearance.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBPatrick Corbin on rough outing vs. Cubs | 1:05
Diamondbacks lefty Patrick Corbin says he made too many mistakes against the Cubs on Tuesday night at Wrigley Field.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBShot Clock: Who’s at shortstop for D-Backs? | 1:55
azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and J.J. Hensley discuss the changes with the Diamondbacks.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBTorey Lovullo on loss to Cardinals, injury to Owings | 1:12
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo talks about his team’s 3-2 loss on Sunday and Chris Owings’ fractured finger.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBTaijuan Walker on his mistakes vs. Cardinals | 1:33
Diamondbacks right-hander Taijuan Walker talks about the mistakes he made in a 3-2 loss to the Cardinals on Sunday.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBRobbie Ray talks about the line drive that hit him | 2:13
Diamondbacks lefty Robbie Ray talks about what he remembers from Friday night, when he was struck on the head by a line drive in the second inning.
Chris Herrmann on D-Backs’ dressing up for Houston
Jake Lamb on loss to Astros
Allhands: Can this baseball marriage be saved?
Torey Lovullo on Zack Greinke’s strong outing vs. the Astros
Zack Godley on outing vs. Cubs
Torey Lovullo on series loss to Cubs
Patrick Corbin tosses 6 2/3 scoreless innings vs. Cubs
Torey Lovullo on D-Backs’ win over Cubs
Taijuan Walker on early struggles in loss
Torey Lovullo on D-Backs’ opening loss to Cubs
Torey Lovullo on his team’s loss to the Dodgers
Anthony Banda on his rough outing against the Dodgers
Shot Clock: Concerned about D-Backs’ Greinke?
Zack Greinke laments his final inning in loss to Dodgers
Torey Lovullo after D-Backs’ loss to Dodgers
Archie Bradley after win: ‘This is our home field’
Shot Clock: Opinion changing on Bonds in Hall?
Jake Lamb on his grand slam to beat Dodgers
Torey Lovullo on D-Backs’ ‘pretty special’ win over Dodgers
Torey Lovullo on disappointing finish to D-Backs’ trip
Anthony Banda on his first big-league victory
Torey Lovullo talks about Anthony Banda’s win vs. Giants
McCain’s stadium advice, best AZ sports moment
Paul Goldschmidt after three-homer game vs. Cubs
Torey Lovullo on D-Backs’ wild win over Cubs
Jake Lamb on D-Backs’ bounce-back win over Cubs
Torey Lovullo on Godley’s performance, Lamb’s clutch hits
Torey Lovullo on miscues, Descalso’s pitching in 16-4 loss to Cubs
Patrick Corbin on rough outing vs. Cubs
Shot Clock: Who’s at shortstop for D-Backs?
Torey Lovullo on loss to Cardinals, injury to Owings
Taijuan Walker on his mistakes vs. Cardinals
Robbie Ray talks about the line drive that hit him
The Diamondbacks brought spacesuits to work on Tuesday. They wore them on the way out of town as get-away garb commemorating a flight to Houston.
It’s proof that a buttoned-up clubhouse isn’t above some childlike fun. But the astronaut costumes didn’t seem to fit a baseball team that’s been grounded for nearly two months.
“We have some things we need to get figured out if we’re going to continue to make a run at this,” outfielder Daniel Descalso said. “We need to start playing complete ballgames.”
Baseball has its quirks. There are too many unwritten rules. The game is far more dangerous than it looks from the couch. But the beauty of the sport is that its marathon schedule will reward the strong and illuminate the weak, laying every team bare for all to see.
The Diamondbacks are no different. They are 16-25 in their last 41 games. This is not a slump. This is a trend, a sample size representing more than 25 percent of the season.
They struck out 17 times on Tuesday, a sign of serious fatigue or a team that’s pressing too hard, straying too far from the necessary approach.
They are playing uphill baseball far too often, trailing early in games. They faced an 8-2 deficit against the Dodgers last Thursday and spotted the Astros an eight-run advantage on Tuesday.
They just finished an eight-game homestand with a 3-5 record, losing their shield of invulnerability at Chase Field. Their home record is still a respectable 39-23, but there was nothing to suggest that playing baseball in Arizona is all that difficult for the opposition.
The Dodgers and Cubs were buoyed by strong showings from their fan base. The six games were a confusing, nauseating mess of bipartisan cheering. Those taking bathroom breaks couldn’t be sure if the roar of the crowd was ominous or reason to celebrate.
Nothing makes a die-hard local fan more discouraged than feeling like a stranger in your own stadium. And by the end of the pivotal stretch of home games, there was a mere 16,935 in attendance on Tuesday, with nobody cheering for anyone.
“Inconsistent,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said when asked to describe the homestand. “It was something we really haven’t been doing (at Chase Field). We’ve protected this home field. I’ve asked these guys to come here and do that, which they’ve done all year long.”
The Diamondbacks haven’t been playing with a full deck. That’s no excuse. They flourished when A.J. Pollock was injured earlier in the season. Ketel Marte has been a pleasant surprise in his role as emergency shortstop. But there’s no denying the loss of left-handed starter Robbie Ray has left the team with a weakened pitching staff, the kind that gets devoured by quality competition.
Lovullo is trying hard to keep his team in a good place. On Saturday morning, he kept insisting that his team was OK, and he wanted them to feel as much.
Some 48 hours later, he admitted the Diamondbacks had begun “wandering” and “drifting” through certain segments of a game. The charade was over.
“We didn’t do great things today, but we know what we have to get to,” Lovullo said. “I think our guys are grinding their way out.”
That’s wishful thinking. By contrast, Descalso said the team needs greater intensity, better focus and more attention to detail.
“For whatever reason, we didn’t play like we’re capable of playing in this homestand,” he said. “We had a nice bounce-back win (on Monday), but unfortunately, we weren’t able to carry that into today. But we’ve done it before. The good thing about this team is we played real good baseball earlier in the season. So we know it’s in the air.”
The Diamondbacks won 50 of their first 78 games, blowing away teams and expectations alike. A lot has changed since then, and here’s the best approach for frustrated fans:
Remember this was supposed to be a transition year. Treat this team like an enormous underdog, one that doesn’t stack up against the Dodgers, Nationals or Cubs. Don’t judge them too harshly on aesthetics or their dwindling lead in the wild-card race.
They embark on a nine-game road trip. After that comes a stretch of 12 games where they play the Dodgers six times and the Rockies thrice. It’s not going to get any easier. Be thrilled if they can limp into the playoffs for the experience alone, theirs and ours.
Remember, during this prolonged period of deconstruction, there is one constant with the Diamondbacks. They’ve never quit. And Lovullo is right about one thing:
If someone offered the Diamondbacks a 4½ game lead in the wild-card chase six months ago, you would’ve taken that option sight unseen.
“It’s time to hit the road and start playing our baseball,” Lovullo said.
Maybe the spacesuits will help them find some much-needed elevation.
Reach Bickley at [email protected] or 602-444-8253. Follow him on twitter.com/dan.bickley. Listen to “Bickley and Marotta” weekdays from 12-2 p.m. on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.