HOUSTON — The ultimate street journey of the season for the D-backs did not begin off the way in which they wished as they fell, 10-2, to the Astros at Minute Maid Park. The Astros hit 5 residence runs, together with two by Jose Altuve, and the D-backs by no means have been in a position to get something going offensively.
Listed below are two issues to find out about what’s occurred with the D-backs over the previous 24 hours:
Sunday, D-backs supervisor Torey Lovullo introduced that Madison Bumgarner wouldn’t pitch once more this season, saying that the group wished to have a look at among the youthful pitchers they’ve referred to as up lately, in addition to have Bumgarner end the season on an excellent be aware.
In what’s going to now be his ultimate look of the season, Bumgarner allowed only one run and one hit over six innings in opposition to the Dodgers in Los Angeles on Wednesday night time.
“I imply I wish to pitch, I wish to compete,” Bumgarner stated. “However I perceive it. It was a dialog that we had about what could be greatest.”
Drey Jameson and Tommy Henry are two of the youthful pitchers the D-backs wish to see throw once more and Lovullo has additionally wished to get Merrill Kelly two begins in order that has the prospect to achieve the 200-inning mark, one thing that is essential to the veteran, who has logged 189 2/3 innings.
“I am glad we get to see among the younger guys throw,” Bumgarner stated. “Perhaps they get one other begin the place they would not if I used to be pitching. I am additionally hoping that this provides Merrill a transparent likelihood at 200 innings, that is what I am most enthusiastic about.”
Bumgarner will end the yr having made 30 begins and throwing 158 2/3 innings. His 4.88 ERA displays the struggles he is had at occasions over the course of the yr. At occasions he is seemed good, however he is had a tough time staying constant and discovering success.
“It is not that massive of a deal however I am glad I received to complete on an excellent be aware,” Bumgarner stated. “It has been a grind of a yr for me for lots of causes.”
2. Alek Thomas was optioned to Triple-A Reno
In a little bit of a shock transfer, the D-backs optioned heart fielder Alek Thomas to Triple-A Reno after Sunday afternoon’s sport.
Thomas was on the prime of the D-backs prospect rankings when the season began per MLB Pipeline, and he was referred to as up and made his massive league debut Could 8. A wonderful defensive heart fielder, he had success on the plate early, however of late it had been a wrestle. Since Aug. 7, Thomas was 22-for-125 (.176) together with his solely extra-base hits being 4 doubles.
“We have been wrestling with it,” Lovullo stated of the choice. “And you realize, his title has been developing as to what can we wish to do to assist him get higher and assist him proceed progressing ahead. So, it was a really tough resolution. It was one which we had been desirous about for a pair days. We simply felt prefer it was going to be the perfect factor for him at this level in his profession. What I defined to him is that [the decision] was onerous. These selections are by no means simple. And he is nonetheless a giant a part of this group.”
Lovullo stated that the group felt Thomas was not making the required changes on the plate after opposing pitchers had made an adjustment to how they have been pitching him. Pitchers have been getting him to chase pitches out of the zone too usually.
“He was despatched down with some particular directions,” Lovullo stated. “Look on one aspect of the plate and hit on that aspect. And simply shrink the zone. I believe he was getting pitched to — everyone noticed what was taking place — and he simply couldn’t make a high quality adjustment. We felt prefer it the perfect likelihood for him to try this could be in Reno.”
In his first sport for Reno on Monday, Thomas was 2-for-5 with a double and a pair of RBIs.
