The Recap (8/20/17) – D-backs 5, Twins 12: Bullpen Game Turns Ugly Fast
The Arizona Diamondbacks had a chance to salvage the final game of the three-game series against the Twins on Sunday. It was their second straight series where they had lost the first two games and were attempting to scrap together a win in the last game. Unlike the previous series against the Astros, the D-backs stumbled and ended up getting swept by the Twins (box score).
Why the D-backs lost
T.J. McFarland pitched terribly. He got only one out before getting pulled from the game in the 1st inning and was charged with giving up seven earned runs. Obviously not an outcome he was hoping for and he has to be devastated. It was a bullpen day gone awry.
Key Moment
This seems pretty obvious because it’s pretty much the entire first inning. Nothing went right for McFarland. Then, when Braden Shipley entered the game he gave up a grand slam.
Stats that matter
- McFarland’s line was not pretty – 0.1 IP, 7 R, 5 H, 2 BB, 38 pitches
- Shipley was only marginally better but did eat up some innings – 5.2 IP, 5 R, 7 H, 2 BB, 3 K, 3 HR allowed
- Brandon Drury had his best game in a long time – 3-for-4, 2 R, 1 RBI, HR, 2 2B
Bottom line
Torey Lovullo got ejected from the game after both teams received warnings after a pitch almost hit Adam Rosales in the top of the 7th inning. It felt like a desperate attempt to shake something positive from this game for the D-backs. In the end, something has to wake up this team and get them playing back up to their potential. If that doesn’t happen, this could get really ugly.
On deck
There’s no rest for the weary as the D-backs head to New York on Monday to play the Mets at 4:10 pm MT. Taijuan Walker will take the ball for the D-backs.
