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Anthony Banda walked off the mound to a standing ovation Saturday.
The Diamondbacks trailed the Washington Nationals 3-1 at the time, and there was still a runner at third that was Banda’s responsibility. But the crowd of 39,176 liked what it had seen – and for good reason.
In his major-league debut, the 23-year-old Banda, considered Arizona’s No. 1 prospect, had shown off a live arm and the promise of better days to come.
Banda’s final line might be considered pedestrian: 5 2/3 innings, seven hits and four earned runs. And the Diamondbacks did lose 4-3, when a ninth-inning rally came up just short.
But it’s what Banda did in those 82 pitches that encouraged manager Torey Lovullo. He hit 96 mph on the radar gun, the fastball lively enough that he could miss his spot and still blow it by the Nationals’ hitters. He struck out five without walking a batter.
The one bugaboo was an inability to throw his breaking ball for strikes, and that caught up to him in the sixth inning, the Nationals’ third time through the order. Chris Heisey, Bryce Harper and Ryan Zimmerman jumped on fastballs for three straight extra-base hits as the Nationals scored three runs to take a 4-1 lead.
Still, as Banda headed to the dugout, his head down, the fans showed their appreciation.
“Anthony Banda had a tremendous outing against a very offensive team,” Lovullo said. “I liked everything he gave us today. I remember the mound presence, the poise, the downhill fastball, the change-up off the fastball and the breaking ball from spring training. It seems like he has been doing everything he could possibly do to get better for this moment.”
Lovullo was particularly impressed that Banda was able to handle the emotions of his major-league debut while at the same time not being afraid of challenging Washington’s lineup. He gave up a solo homer to Harper in the first inning on a curveball he left up – “its Bryce Harper, he’s really good,” Banda said with a smile – but allowed just three more base runners before the Nationals got to him in the sixth.
“It speaks volumes about what he believes in, which is himself and his stuff,” Lovullo said. “He wasn’t backing down.”
Before the game, Lovullo described Banda as a “mature” kid who’s a “little bit beyond his years.” That was the Banda who met the media after his debut. He was composed, quiet and articulate, as if pitching in a major-league game before nearly 40,000 fans was something he had done dozens of times.
“It was over the top, but controlling it and staying poised throughout the game and getting the job done was something I was very concentrated on,” he said. “That’s what I wanted to do, and I believe I did that.”
Banda said he felt good about his outing. He also learned an important lesson in the sixth inning when the Nationals swung at his early fastballs.
“We stuck to the game plan and they made an adjustment to me,” he said. “It’s something I need to make an adjustment back. That’s something really good big-league pitchers do. I’ll walk away from this and learn and come back even stronger.”
Banda was optioned to Triple-A Reno immediately after the game to open up a roster spot for Taijuan Walker, who’s coming off the paternity list, but his performance won’t be forgotten by the Diamondbacks anytime soon.
“He’s one of our top prospects for a reason, and he did everything to deserve that tag,” Lovullo said. “We’re very proud of him.”
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