• Anthony Banda talks about his MLB debut

    Anthony Banda talks about his MLB debut

  • Lovullo reacts to the D-Backs' loss to the Nationals

    Lovullo reacts to the D-Backs’ loss to the Nationals

  • Diamondbacks edge Nationals in walk-off win

    Diamondbacks edge Nationals in walk-off win

  • Diamondbacks introduce J.D. Martinez at Chase Field

    Diamondbacks introduce J.D. Martinez at Chase Field

  • Torey Lovullo on Corbin's outing, series victory vs. Reds

    Torey Lovullo on Corbin’s outing, series victory vs. Reds

  • Patrick Corbin on his strong start vs. Reds

    Patrick Corbin on his strong start vs. Reds

  • J.D. Martinez talks about getting hit by a pitch vs. Reds

    J.D. Martinez talks about getting hit by a pitch vs. Reds

  • Manager Torey Lovullo on loss to Reds, Martinez's injury

    Manager Torey Lovullo on loss to Reds, Martinez’s injury

  • Zack Greinke on his outing vs. Reds

    Zack Greinke on his outing vs. Reds

  • Shot Clock: D-Backs seize moment with trade

    Shot Clock: D-Backs seize moment with trade

  • Torey Lovullo on D-Backs' win over Reds, acquisition of J.D. Martinez

    Torey Lovullo on D-Backs’ win over Reds, acquisition of J.D. Martinez

  • Shot Clock: Robbie Ray brings intensity to mound

    Shot Clock: Robbie Ray brings intensity to mound

  • Shot Clock: D-Backs fear Cubs; ASU's hot seat

    Shot Clock: D-Backs fear Cubs; ASU’s hot seat

  • Torey Lovullo after D-Backs' fifth straight loss

    Torey Lovullo after D-Backs’ fifth straight loss

  • Zack Godley on rough start vs. Braves

    Zack Godley on rough start vs. Braves

  • Patrick Corbin goes five innings vs. Braves

    Patrick Corbin goes five innings vs. Braves

  • Randall Delgado on Braves' four-run, go-ahead rally

    Randall Delgado on Braves’ four-run, go-ahead rally

  • Torey Lovullo after D-Backs lose again vs. Braves

    Torey Lovullo after D-Backs lose again vs. Braves

  • Torey Lovullo talks D-Backs' strategy in loss to Braves

    Torey Lovullo talks D-Backs’ strategy in loss to Braves

  • Taijuan Walker on his night vs. Braves

    Taijuan Walker on his night vs. Braves

  • Shot Clock: D-Backs' trade deadline ideas

    Shot Clock: D-Backs’ trade deadline ideas

  • Shot Clock: Playoffs for D-Backs and Suns?

    Shot Clock: Playoffs for D-Backs and Suns?

  • Diamondbacks fall 2-1 to Reds

    Diamondbacks fall 2-1 to Reds

  • Lovullo on the Diamondbacks' loss to the Reds

    Lovullo on the Diamondbacks’ loss to the Reds

  • Diamondbacks hold off Reds for 6-3 win

    Diamondbacks hold off Reds for 6-3 win

  • Shot Clock: 1 more chance for D-Backs' Rodney?

    Shot Clock: 1 more chance for D-Backs’ Rodney?

  • Fernando Rodney after blown save vs. Dodgers

    Fernando Rodney after blown save vs. Dodgers

  • Torey Lovullo after Dodgers sweep D-Backs in LA

    Torey Lovullo after Dodgers sweep D-Backs in LA

  • Robbie Ray on his outing, tough loss vs. Dodgers

    Robbie Ray on his outing, tough loss vs. Dodgers

  • Torey Lovullo on D-Backs' second consecutive loss in LA

    Torey Lovullo on D-Backs’ second consecutive loss in LA

  • Zack Godley talks about his outing vs. Dodgers.

    Zack Godley talks about his outing vs. Dodgers.

  • Gregor Blanco after D-Backs' loss to Dodgers

    Gregor Blanco after D-Backs’ loss to Dodgers

  • Shot Clock: How should Suns, D-Backs prioritize improvement?

    Shot Clock: How should Suns, D-Backs prioritize improvement?

  • Chris Owings on Kershaw's night, D-Backs' late push

    Chris Owings on Kershaw’s night, D-Backs’ late push

  • Torey Lovullo on D-Backs' late push in loss vs. Dodgers

    Torey Lovullo on D-Backs’ late push in loss vs. Dodgers

  • Dodgers vs D-Backs preview

    Dodgers vs D-Backs preview

  • Lovullo, Marte, Walker discuss D-Backs' walk-off win

    Lovullo, Marte, Walker discuss D-Backs’ walk-off win

  • Four Diamondbacks react to making NL All-Star team

    Four Diamondbacks react to making NL All-Star team

  • Archie Bradley on D-Backs' win over Rockies

    Archie Bradley on D-Backs’ win over Rockies

  • Zack Greinke on his effective outing vs. Rockies

    Zack Greinke on his effective outing vs. Rockies

  • Robbie Ray on his outing in loss vs. Rockies

    Robbie Ray on his outing in loss vs. Rockies

  • Chris Owings homers twice in loss to Rockies

    Chris Owings homers twice in loss to Rockies

  • Torey Lovullo talks loss to Cardinals

    Torey Lovullo talks loss to Cardinals

  • D-Backs GM on Chase Field humidor being pushed back

    D-Backs GM on Chase Field humidor being pushed back

  • Lovullo, Godley reflect on D-Backs' close loss

    Lovullo, Godley reflect on D-Backs’ close loss

  • Tony La Russa reflects on his baseball life

    Tony La Russa reflects on his baseball life

  • Torey Lovullo shares Tomas, Pollock, Ahmed injury updates

    Torey Lovullo shares Tomas, Pollock, Ahmed injury updates

  • Chris Herrmann walks it off for D-Backs

    Chris Herrmann walks it off for D-Backs

  • D-Backs' Torey Lovullo: "They fight until the final out"

    D-Backs’ Torey Lovullo: “They fight until the final out”

  • Chris Herrmann on first career leadoff home run

    Chris Herrmann on first career leadoff home run

  • Zack Greinke on outing vs. Phillies

    Zack Greinke on outing vs. Phillies

  • Torey Lovullo on D-Backs' offensive execution in win

    Torey Lovullo on D-Backs’ offensive execution in win

  • Diamondbacks-Phillies recap - June 26

    Diamondbacks-Phillies recap – June 26

  • Diamondbacks walk off Philies in extra innings

    Diamondbacks walk off Philies in extra innings

  • Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Philadelphia Phillies | June 25, 2017

    Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Philadelphia Phillies | June 25, 2017

  • Ray on his outing against the Phillies

    Ray on his outing against the Phillies

  • Torey Lovullo on Diamondbacks' loss to Phillies

    Torey Lovullo on Diamondbacks’ loss to Phillies

  • Lovullo discusses the Diamondbacks' win over the Phillies

    Lovullo discusses the Diamondbacks’ win over the Phillies

  • Torey Lovullo after D-Backs win series vs. Rockies

    Torey Lovullo after D-Backs win series vs. Rockies

  • Paul Goldschmidt on D-Backs' offensive outburst

    Paul Goldschmidt on D-Backs’ offensive outburst

  • Zack Godley on strong outing at Coors Field

    Zack Godley on strong outing at Coors Field

  • D-Backs' Taijuan Walker on win over Rockies

    D-Backs’ Taijuan Walker on win over Rockies

  • Torey Lovullo after blowout win vs. Rockies

    Torey Lovullo after blowout win vs. Rockies

  • Torey Lovullo on decision to stick with Zack Greinke

    Torey Lovullo on decision to stick with Zack Greinke

  • Zack Greinke after loss vs. Rockies

    Zack Greinke after loss vs. Rockies

  • D-Backs suffer tough loss in Denver

    D-Backs suffer tough loss in Denver

  • Shot Clock: D-Backs, Rockies set for showdown

    Shot Clock: D-Backs, Rockies set for showdown

  • Torey Lovullo on Rey Fuentes' go-ahead homer

    Torey Lovullo on Rey Fuentes’ go-ahead homer

  • Rey Fuentes on hitting his first career home run

    Rey Fuentes on hitting his first career home run

  • Robbie Ray on his outing vs. Phillies

    Robbie Ray on his outing vs. Phillies

  • Manager Torey Lovullo after D-Backs' sixth consecutive win

    Manager Torey Lovullo after D-Backs’ sixth consecutive win

  • Jake Lamb on D-Backs' latest win over Phillies

    Jake Lamb on D-Backs’ latest win over Phillies

  • Torey Lovullo talks about his late father's support, guidance

    Torey Lovullo talks about his late father’s support, guidance

  • Torey Lovullo on his father's job in television

    Torey Lovullo on his father’s job in television

  • Torey Lovullo on D-Backs' come-from-behind win over Phillies

    Torey Lovullo on D-Backs’ come-from-behind win over Phillies

  • Gregor Blanco discusses his game-tying homer vs. Phillies

    Gregor Blanco discusses his game-tying homer vs. Phillies

  • Patrick Corbin on his performance vs. Phillies

    Patrick Corbin on his performance vs. Phillies

  • Torey Lovullo on D-Backs' latest one-run win

    Torey Lovullo on D-Backs’ latest one-run win

  • Taijuan Walker on his first outing back from the disabled list

    Taijuan Walker on his first outing back from the disabled list

  • David Peralta on his go-ahead homer in win over Tigers

    David Peralta on his go-ahead homer in win over Tigers

  • Torey Lovullo after D-Backs' win over Tigers

    Torey Lovullo after D-Backs’ win over Tigers

  • Robbie Ray on D-Backs' win over Brewers

    Robbie Ray on D-Backs’ win over Brewers

  • Paul Goldschmidt on grand slam, offensive outburst

    Paul Goldschmidt on grand slam, offensive outburst

  • Godley on taking advantage of opportunity after D-Backs win

    Godley on taking advantage of opportunity after D-Backs win

  • Torey Lovullo after D-Backs' win over Brewers

    Torey Lovullo after D-Backs’ win over Brewers

  • Randall Delgado on his rough outing against Brewers

    Randall Delgado on his rough outing against Brewers

  • Lovullo on Diamondbacks' loss to Brewers

    Lovullo on Diamondbacks’ loss to Brewers

  • Chris Iannetta on his career-high 7 RBIs vs. Padres

    Chris Iannetta on his career-high 7 RBIs vs. Padres

Bryce Harper homered and drove in two runs, Tanner Roark struck out a season-high 11 and Sean Doolittle stranded the potential tying run to preserve the Washington Nationals’ 4-3 win over the Diamondbacks on Saturday night.

Roark (8-6) gave up two runs and three hits in seven innings for the NL East-leading Nationals.

Harper hit his 25th home run of the season on a full-count change-up from Anthony Banda (0-1), who lost in his major-league debut.

Chris Iannetta hit a two-out RBI double in the bottom half, but the Nationals opened a 4-1 lead with a three-run sixth.

– Associated Press

 

Nationals take the lead with three consecutive extra-base hits

With one out in the top of the sixth inning, Chris Heisey drilled a triple down the left field line off of Anthony Banda. Bryce Harper came up next, and instead of intentionally walking him to set up the double play, Banda allowed a ground rule double that scored Heisey.

Ryan Zimmerman came up next, and on the first pitch of the at-bat lined another double to right field that scored Harper. 

Banda was replaced by J.J. Hoover with two outs, who allowed an RBI single to Anthony Rendon. The run was charged to Banda, who pitched 5.2 innings allowing four runs on seven hits. He struck out five and walked none. He threw 82 pitches.

So far, so good for Banda

Anthony Banda has looked good through five innings in his major-league debut. He’s allowed four hits and just one run, a Bryce Harper solo homer in the first inning. Banda has struck out five batters and has yet to allow a walk. 

D-Backs, Nationals trade runs in the first

Anthony Banda, the Diamondbacks’ No. 1 rated prospect, made his MLB debut Saturday and struck out two in the first inning. However, he also faced Bryce Harper, who drilled an inside change-up to the walkway behind the pool in right center field for a solo home run. 

In the bottom of the inning, A.J. Pollock singled and was driven home by a Chris Iannetta double, who is batting cleanup for the first time in nine years. 

No J.D. or Goldy in Saturday’s lineup

The Arizona Diamondbacks will be without new outfielder J.D. Martinez for at least one more day as he nurses an injured hand. 

D-Backs manager Torey Lovullo said he was told when he arrived at the ballpark this morning that Martinez would not be ready to start against the Nationals. 

“He is doing much better, he’s improving,” Lovullo said. “He has been available in an emergency situation. He’s going to go out and test it a little bit today, and I think he’s going to be a category better than he was yesterday. He could be available, and I’ll find out more information as he gets a bat in his hands and takes some swings.”

He said he’s taking things day-by-day with Martinez and won’t put him in a situation where he’s playing at less than 100 percent or is uncomfortable, as he doesn’t want to risk another injury.

First baseman Paul Goldschmidt is also not in the starting lineup after being given the day off to rest.

“I feel like it was the right thing and time for him,” Lovullo said. “He went to the All-Star Game and didn’t the four days that everyone else had off. I know that he always wants to be in there, and it was one of those decisions that I had to make where I said take the day off and be ready for a Sunday day game.”

Goldschmidt wasn’t at the ballpark during the day and won’t take part in batting practice, but he will be available to enter the game as a pinch-hitter or defensive replacement.

“He’s always available,” Lovullo said. “He’s always walking by late in the game making sure I know that.”

Lovullo said he wants players to take advantage of their days off and that is why he tells guys getting a break to skip batting practice.

Despite the usual push back from Goldschmidt, Lovullo said he understood the decision and the reasoning behind it. 

“I’ve been preaching rest all year long,” Lovullo said. “We want to play for as long as we possibly can this season, and if we’re playing an extra month of baseball, that’s going to pay dividends for us.”

Follow Andrew Vailliencourt on Twitter: @AndrewVcourt

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