Postgame Recap (7/30/17) – D-backs 2, Cardinals 4: Situational Hitting Missing in Tough Loss

Taijuan Walker did it again. He pitched another solid game but didn’t get a win, mainly due to lack of run support. Today, the Diamondbacks finished 0-for-6 with runner’s in scoring position. For Walker, it was his fourth consecutive start where the offense scored three or fewer runs to support him.

The D-backs started off the scoring today in the top of the 2nd inning. After J.D. Martinez drew a walk, Ketel Marte doubled moving Martinez to third base. Chris Iannetta hit a sacrifice fly to score Martinez and Marte advanced to third on a throwing error.

Back-to-back walks loaded the bases for the D-backs, and that’s when Chris Owings got hit on the hand by a 92-mph fastball as he was attempting to bunt. He left the game and was replaced by Daniel Decalso who drew a walk to score the D-backs second run.

For the Cardinals, Jose Martinez hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the 4th inning to tie the game up. Up until the single by Yadier Molina in the 4th, Walker had struck out six batters and allowed only one hit.

A walk, single and sacrifice fly scored the Cardinals third run in the bottom of the 6th inning. That ended Walker’s day and Jorge De La Rosa came into the game in relief.

The D-backs threatened to score in the top of the 7th inning when Daniel Descalso hit a one-out double. But Jake Lamb struck out and Paul Goldschmidt hit into a groundout to end the threat.

Stats that matter

• Taijuan Walker pitched good enough to win but needs more run support – 5.2 IP, 3 R, 4 H, 3 BB, 10 K, HR
• D-backs were 0-for-6 with RISP
• The D-backs stuck out nine times, with Chris Iannetta leading the way with three strikeouts

Bottom line

Right when it seems like this team is ready to start rolling, they stumble. It’s becoming harder to understand why Torey Lovullo keeps inserting Chris Iannetta and Chris Herrmann in the lineup when Jeff Mathis has been on fire lately. Not to mention sitting his star players — like A.J. Pollock today — in potentially momentum-swinging games at a time when this team needs momentum more than ever. It’s frustrating to watch.

On deck

The Diamondbacks take Monday off before heading to play a surging Chicago Cubs team. The first game in the three-game series is on Tuesday at 5:05 pm MT. Patrick Corbin will be on the mound for the D-backs.