NEW YORK -- Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo has been looking for ways to get A.J. Pollock going at the plate.
After countless conversations in the skipper's office and around the batting cage, they met at the top of the dugout steps with a runner on second base in the 10th inning Monday night at Citi Field.
Pollock then stepped into the batter's box and came through, hitting a two-run homer that helped Arizona stop a three-game skid with a 3-2 victory over the New York Mets.
"I've been feeling good. I guess that's just baseball," said Pollock, who had gone 6 for 43 in the previous seven games. "I felt like that last series (at Minnesota) and the second half of the Astros series, felt pretty competitive with all my at-bats. Just got to keep going out there with a good mind and things happen."
J.D. Martinez had an RBI single and left fielder David Peralta threw out the potential go-ahead run at the plate for the Diamondbacks, who lead Milwaukee by 3 1/2 games for the second NL wild card. They are 4-0 against the Mets this season and have won nine of 10 meetings over the last two years.
Pinch-hitter Gregor Blanco walked to start the 10th and Peralta grounded out to bring up Pollock, who hadn't homered since July 24 against Atlanta.
Lovullo offered some words of encouragement to his center fielder, who returned to the lineup July 4 after missing a month and a half due to a right groin strain.
Pollock delivered, sending a 94 mph fastball from Erik Goeddel (0-1) over the center-field fence to put the Diamondbacks back in front after they squandered a 1-0 lead in the seventh.
"I know he's been feeling better through some of my conversations with him," Lovullo said. "It's coming. Players feel that. They sense it. They usually don't let you down."
Fernando Rodney gave up a leadoff homer to Michael Conforto before getting three outs for his 28th save in 33 tries.
Jimmie Sherfy (1-0) pitched a perfect ninth for his first major league win.
New York has dropped seven of eight to fall 15 games under .500 at 54-69. During the game, the Mets announced that oft-injured lefty Steven Matz needs another elbow operation, which will end his season.
The struggling Matz was diagnosed with irritation of the ulnar nerve in his left elbow, the team said. Surgery was recommended to reposition the nerve and relieve the irritation, a similar procedure to the one teammate Jacob deGrom had last year.
"I was surprised," manager Terry Collins said. "Hopefully this might be an answer that lets Steven's elbow feel a lot better next year."
In the opener of a four-game set, the Mets had plenty of chances to score but went 2 for 12 with runners in scoring position and left 10 runners on base. Arizona starter Taijuan Walker pitched out of early trouble while allowing seven hits in 5 1/3 scoreless innings.
Yoenis Cespedes' bases-loaded single to left tied it at 1 with one out in the seventh. Asdrubal Cabrera tried to score from second, but Peralta's throw cut down the slow-footed Cabrera, who was tagged out by catcher Chris Iannetta.
"I don't want to say something wrong, but he's not a fast guy," Peralta said. "Cespedes hit the ball really hard. ... The only way to get him out at home plate (was) with a perfect throw."
New York challenged the call, but it was upheld after a replay review.
Mets rookie Robert Gsellman gave up one run over 6 1/3 innings in his second start since coming off the disabled list.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Diamondbacks: C Jeff Mathis was removed in the sixth with a bruised right hand. ... Lovullo said OF Yasmany Tomas will undergo core surgery for a sports hernia Tuesday in Philadelphia. Tomas, on the DL since June 6, was working to get back before his rehab assignment was shut down in July. The 26-year-old from Cuba hit .241 with eight homers and 32 RBI in 47 games. ... RHP Randall Delgado (strained right elbow) will throw a bullpen Tuesday. ... CF Rey Fuentes was scheduled to play a rehab game for Triple-A Reno. SS Nick Ahmed (broken hand) was slated to make an appearance with the rookie-level Diamondbacks.
Mets: RHP Matt Harvey made his third rehab start, first for Double-A Binghamton after two outings with Class A Brooklyn. He allowed two runs, four hits and one walk while striking out three over three innings. Harvey has been sidelined since June with a stress injury to the scapula bone in his right shoulder.
UP NEXT
Diamondbacks: LHP Patrick Corbin (10-11, 4.25 ERA) attempts to win his third straight start Tuesday night. Corbin has not allowed a run in 16 1/3 innings.
Mets: LHP Tommy Milone (1-2, 7.91 ERA) pitches in place of Matz. Milone made three starts for New York earlier this year and recently returned from a long stint on the DL due to a knee injury.
---
More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball
After countless conversations in the skipper's office and around the batting cage, they met at the top of the dugout steps with a runner on second base in the 10th inning Monday night at Citi Field.
Pollock then stepped into the batter's box and came through, hitting a two-run homer that helped Arizona stop a three-game skid with a 3-2 victory over the New York Mets.
"I've been feeling good. I guess that's just baseball," said Pollock, who had gone 6 for 43 in the previous seven games. "I felt like that last series (at Minnesota) and the second half of the Astros series, felt pretty competitive with all my at-bats. Just got to keep going out there with a good mind and things happen."
J.D. Martinez had an RBI single and left fielder David Peralta threw out the potential go-ahead run at the plate for the Diamondbacks, who lead Milwaukee by 3 1/2 games for the second NL wild card. They are 4-0 against the Mets this season and have won nine of 10 meetings over the last two years.
Pinch-hitter Gregor Blanco walked to start the 10th and Peralta grounded out to bring up Pollock, who hadn't homered since July 24 against Atlanta.
Lovullo offered some words of encouragement to his center fielder, who returned to the lineup July 4 after missing a month and a half due to a right groin strain.
Pollock delivered, sending a 94 mph fastball from Erik Goeddel (0-1) over the center-field fence to put the Diamondbacks back in front after they squandered a 1-0 lead in the seventh.
"I know he's been feeling better through some of my conversations with him," Lovullo said. "It's coming. Players feel that. They sense it. They usually don't let you down."
Fernando Rodney gave up a leadoff homer to Michael Conforto before getting three outs for his 28th save in 33 tries.
Jimmie Sherfy (1-0) pitched a perfect ninth for his first major league win.
New York has dropped seven of eight to fall 15 games under .500 at 54-69. During the game, the Mets announced that oft-injured lefty Steven Matz needs another elbow operation, which will end his season.
The struggling Matz was diagnosed with irritation of the ulnar nerve in his left elbow, the team said. Surgery was recommended to reposition the nerve and relieve the irritation, a similar procedure to the one teammate Jacob deGrom had last year.
"I was surprised," manager Terry Collins said. "Hopefully this might be an answer that lets Steven's elbow feel a lot better next year."
In the opener of a four-game set, the Mets had plenty of chances to score but went 2 for 12 with runners in scoring position and left 10 runners on base. Arizona starter Taijuan Walker pitched out of early trouble while allowing seven hits in 5 1/3 scoreless innings.
Yoenis Cespedes' bases-loaded single to left tied it at 1 with one out in the seventh. Asdrubal Cabrera tried to score from second, but Peralta's throw cut down the slow-footed Cabrera, who was tagged out by catcher Chris Iannetta.
"I don't want to say something wrong, but he's not a fast guy," Peralta said. "Cespedes hit the ball really hard. ... The only way to get him out at home plate (was) with a perfect throw."
New York challenged the call, but it was upheld after a replay review.
Mets rookie Robert Gsellman gave up one run over 6 1/3 innings in his second start since coming off the disabled list.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Diamondbacks: C Jeff Mathis was removed in the sixth with a bruised right hand. ... Lovullo said OF Yasmany Tomas will undergo core surgery for a sports hernia Tuesday in Philadelphia. Tomas, on the DL since June 6, was working to get back before his rehab assignment was shut down in July. The 26-year-old from Cuba hit .241 with eight homers and 32 RBI in 47 games. ... RHP Randall Delgado (strained right elbow) will throw a bullpen Tuesday. ... CF Rey Fuentes was scheduled to play a rehab game for Triple-A Reno. SS Nick Ahmed (broken hand) was slated to make an appearance with the rookie-level Diamondbacks.
Mets: RHP Matt Harvey made his third rehab start, first for Double-A Binghamton after two outings with Class A Brooklyn. He allowed two runs, four hits and one walk while striking out three over three innings. Harvey has been sidelined since June with a stress injury to the scapula bone in his right shoulder.
UP NEXT
Diamondbacks: LHP Patrick Corbin (10-11, 4.25 ERA) attempts to win his third straight start Tuesday night. Corbin has not allowed a run in 16 1/3 innings.
Mets: LHP Tommy Milone (1-2, 7.91 ERA) pitches in place of Matz. Milone made three starts for New York earlier this year and recently returned from a long stint on the DL due to a knee injury.
---
More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball
| View: Play-By-Play | Pitch-By-Pitch | Inning: All | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| Arizona - Top of 1st | SCORE | |
|---|---|---|
| Robert Gsellman pitching for New York | ARI | NYM |
| Peralta lined out to left. | 0 | 0 |
| Pollock grounded out to third. | 0 | 0 |
| Lamb lined out to left. | 0 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| New York - Bottom of 1st | SCORE | |
| Taijuan Walker pitching for Arizona | ARI | NYM |
| Nimmo doubled to deep left. | 0 | 0 |
| Cabrera lined out to left. | 0 | 0 |
| Conforto grounded into fielder's choice to pitcher, Nimmo out at third. | 0 | 0 |
| Céspedes struck out swinging. | 0 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Arizona - Top of 2nd | SCORE | |
| Robert Gsellman pitching for New York | ARI | NYM |
| Goldschmidt grounded out to third. | 0 | 0 |
| Martinez flied out to center. | 0 | 0 |
| Descalso flied out to center. | 0 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| New York - Bottom of 2nd | SCORE | |
| Taijuan Walker pitching for Arizona | ARI | NYM |
| Flores singled to right. | 0 | 0 |
| Smith reached on infield single to third, Flores to second. | 0 | 0 |
| Flores to third, Smith to second on passed ball by Mathis. | 0 | 0 |
| Rosario struck out swinging. | 0 | 0 |
| Plawecki intentionally walked. | 0 | 0 |
| Gsellman struck out looking. | 0 | 0 |
| Nimmo flied out to center. | 0 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Arizona - Top of 3rd | SCORE | |
| Robert Gsellman pitching for New York | ARI | NYM |
| Marte flied out to left. | 0 | 0 |
| Mathis struck out swinging. | 0 | 0 |
| Walker singled to center. | 0 | 0 |
| Peralta safe at first on throwing error by pitcher Gsellman, Walker to second. | 0 | 0 |
| Pollock grounded into fielder's choice to third, Walker out at third, Peralta to second. | 0 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 1 Errors | ||
| New York - Bottom of 3rd | SCORE | |
| Taijuan Walker pitching for Arizona | ARI | NYM |
| Cabrera flied out to right. | 0 | 0 |
| Conforto singled to right center. | 0 | 0 |
| Céspedes reached on infield single to third, Conforto to second. | 0 | 0 |
| Flores grounded into double play, shortstop to second to first, Céspedes out at second. | 0 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Arizona - Top of 4th | SCORE | |
| Robert Gsellman pitching for New York | ARI | NYM |
| Lamb walked. | 0 | 0 |
| Goldschmidt grounded out to pitcher, Lamb to second. | 0 | 0 |
| Martinez singled to left center, Lamb scored, Martinez to second advancing on throw. | 1 | 0 |
| Descalso singled to deep right, Martinez to third. | 1 | 0 |
| Marte lined out to right. | 1 | 0 |
| Mathis hit by pitch, Descalso to second. | 1 | 0 |
| Walker struck out looking. | 1 | 0 |
| 1 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| New York - Bottom of 4th | SCORE | |
| Taijuan Walker pitching for Arizona | ARI | NYM |
| Smith grounded out to shortstop. | 1 | 0 |
| Rosario grounded out to third. | 1 | 0 |
| Plawecki doubled to deep right. | 1 | 0 |
| Gsellman grounded out to pitcher. | 1 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Arizona - Top of 5th | SCORE | |
| Robert Gsellman pitching for New York | ARI | NYM |
| Peralta grounded out to first. | 1 | 0 |
| Pollock lined out to shortstop. | 1 | 0 |
| Lamb lined out to left. | 1 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| New York - Bottom of 5th | SCORE | |
| Taijuan Walker pitching for Arizona | ARI | NYM |
| Nimmo grounded out to second. | 1 | 0 |
| Cabrera grounded out to first. | 1 | 0 |
| Conforto struck out swinging. | 1 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Arizona - Top of 6th | SCORE | |
| Robert Gsellman pitching for New York | ARI | NYM |
| Goldschmidt flied out to center. | 1 | 0 |
| Martinez grounded out to third. | 1 | 0 |
| Descalso singled to left. | 1 | 0 |
| Marte grounded out to pitcher. | 1 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| New York - Bottom of 6th | SCORE | |
| Taijuan Walker pitching for Arizona | ARI | NYM |
| Iannetta catching. | 1 | 0 |
| Céspedes singled to center. | 1 | 0 |
| Flores grounded out to first, Céspedes to second. | 1 | 0 |
| De La Rosa relieved Walker. | 1 | 0 |
| Smith struck out swinging. | 1 | 0 |
| Hernandez relieved De La Rosa. | 1 | 0 |
| Rosario reached on infield single to first, Céspedes to third. | 1 | 0 |
| Rosario stole second. | 1 | 0 |
| Plawecki grounded out to pitcher. | 1 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Arizona - Top of 7th | SCORE | |
| Robert Gsellman pitching for New York | ARI | NYM |
| Iannetta singled to right. | 1 | 0 |
| Drury hit for Hernandez. | 1 | 0 |
| Drury struck out swinging. | 1 | 0 |
| d'Arnaud catching. | 1 | 0 |
| Blevins relieved Gsellman. | 1 | 0 |
| Peralta struck out swinging. | 1 | 0 |
| Pollock struck out swinging. | 1 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| New York - Bottom of 7th | SCORE | |
| Andrew Chafin pitching for Arizona | ARI | NYM |
| Chafin relieved Hernandez. | 1 | 0 |
| d'Arnaud doubled to right. | 1 | 0 |
| Nimmo sacrificed to pitcher, d'Arnaud to third. | 1 | 0 |
| Bradley relieved Chafin. | 1 | 0 |
| Cabrera walked. | 1 | 0 |
| Conforto walked, Cabrera to second. | 1 | 0 |
| Céspedes singled to left, d'Arnaud scored, Cabrera thrown out at home, Conforto to second. | 1 | 1 |
| Flores fouled out to catcher. | 1 | 1 |
| 1 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Arizona - Top of 8th | SCORE | |
| Jerry Blevins pitching for New York | ARI | NYM |
| Lamb walked. | 1 | 1 |
| Sewald relieved Blevins. | 1 | 1 |
| Goldschmidt grounded into double play, shortstop to second to first, Lamb out at second. | 1 | 1 |
| Martinez flied out to right. | 1 | 1 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| New York - Bottom of 8th | SCORE | |
| Archie Bradley pitching for Arizona | ARI | NYM |
| Smith flied out to left. | 1 | 1 |
| Rosario struck out swinging. | 1 | 1 |
| Lagares hit for Sewald. | 1 | 1 |
| Lagares grounded out to shortstop. | 1 | 1 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Arizona - Top of 9th | SCORE | |
| AJ Ramos pitching for New York | ARI | NYM |
| Ramos relieved Sewald. | 1 | 1 |
| Descalso struck out looking. | 1 | 1 |
| Marte struck out swinging. | 1 | 1 |
| Iannetta lined out to third. | 1 | 1 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| New York - Bottom of 9th | SCORE | |
| Jimmie Sherfy pitching for Arizona | ARI | NYM |
| Sherfy relieved Bradley. | 1 | 1 |
| d'Arnaud grounded out to shortstop. | 1 | 1 |
| Nimmo struck out looking. | 1 | 1 |
| Cabrera popped out to third. | 1 | 1 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Arizona - Top of 10th | SCORE | |
| Erik Goeddel pitching for New York | ARI | NYM |
| Goeddel relieved Ramos. | 1 | 1 |
| Blanco hit for Sherfy. | 1 | 1 |
| Blanco walked. | 1 | 1 |
| Peralta grounded out to first, Blanco to second. | 1 | 1 |
| Pollock homered to center (405 feet), Blanco scored. | 3 | 1 |
| Lamb popped out to shortstop. | 3 | 1 |
| Goldschmidt grounded out to second. | 3 | 1 |
| 2 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| New York - Bottom of 10th | SCORE | |
| Fernando Rodney pitching for Arizona | ARI | NYM |
| Rodney relieved Sherfy. | 3 | 1 |
| Conforto homered to left center (369 feet). | 3 | 2 |
| Céspedes popped out to first. | 3 | 2 |
| Flores grounded out to second. | 3 | 2 |
| Smith flied out to left. | 3 | 2 |
| 1 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Arizona Diamondbacks | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hitters | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | #P | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| Peralta LF | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 20 | .299 | .352 | .464 |
| Pollock CF | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 17 | .270 | .321 | .446 |
| Lamb 3B | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 22 | .263 | .370 | .530 |
| Goldschmidt 1B | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 | .313 | .424 | .586 |
| Martinez RF | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 14 | .232 | .321 | .566 |
| Descalso 2B | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 16 | .239 | .338 | .392 |
| Marte SS | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 14 | .267 | .344 | .448 |
| Mathis C | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | .213 | .276 | .322 |
Iannetta C
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | .223 | .316 | .473 |
| Walker P | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 11 | .220 | .238 | .293 |
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | |
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | |
a-Drury PH
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | .274 | .326 | .450 |
Chafin P
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
Bradley P
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
Sherfy P
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
b-Blanco PH
| 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | .234 | .319 | .354 |
Rodney P
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
| Totals | 36 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 157 | |||
| a-struck out swinging for D Hernandez in the 7th b-walked for J Sherfy in the 10th | ||||||||||
| BATTING HR: Pollock (6, 10th inning off Goeddel 1 on, 1 Out) RBI: Martinez (22), Pollock 2 (22) GIDP: Goldschmidt Diamondbacks RISP: 3-6 (Pollock 1-2, Walker 0-1, Martinez 1-1, Descalso 1-1, Marte 0-1) Team LOB: 7 | ||||||||||
| FIELDING DP: 1 (Marte-Descalso-Goldschmidt). PB: Mathis. Outfield Assist: Peralta (Cabrera at Home). | ||||||||||
Game Notes
| C MATHIS (RIGHT HAND CONTUSION) LEFT GAME BOT 6TH |
Game Information
| Stadium | Citi Field, New York, NY |
| Attendance | 24,265 (57.9% full) - % is based on regular season capacity |
| Game Time | 3:46 |
| Weather | 83 degrees, partly cloudy |
| Wind | 12 mph |
| Umpires | Home Plate - Mike Estabrook, First Base - Jerry Layne, Second Base - Ryan Additon, Third Base - Marvin Hudson |
No comments:
Post a Comment