Another Sloppy Day on Mound, In Field Perturbs Torey Lovullo

The Rangers hammered out 15 hits in a 10-3 Cactus League win over the Diamondbacks.

Torey Lovullo was not particularly pleased with what he saw at Salt River Fields today. His team was outclassed in all facets of the game today, as the D-backs' pitching staff had another very rough day, losing 10-3 to the Rangers.

One day after giving up nine runs on 10 hits, including a walk-off homer in the 9th and six walks to the A's, the Rangers rapped out 15 hits, drew five walks, and hit two big homers. Eduardo Rodríguez got the start for Arizona and recorded just three outs, while giving up four of those runs and both homers. Bryce Jarvis gave up three runs, Scott McGough two, and Miguel Castro one.

Torey Lovullo said after the game "We've got to pitch better, we've got to put the ball on the plate. We've got to use our stuff. We've got to set up hitters, we've got to finish off hitters. We have some good arms in this organization. We shouldn't be banged around like that. "

It wasn't just the pitching that bothered Lovullo, however. Other areas he saw included some dropped transfers, some poor routes in the outfield, some late lateral movements defensively, and some late breaks. 

"I want to see some really aggressive movements laterally from our infielders.," Lovullo said.

Rodríguez' day was perhaps the most disappointing. He had looked very sharp in a couple of live batting practice outings. But the very first pitch he threw was a 91 MPH cutter middle in to Marcus Semien, and the Rangers shortstop launched it 421 onto the grass in left field.  Rodriguez struck out the next two hitters but then walked a batter before A.J. Vukovich made a nice diving catch on a shallow popup to left. 

In the second inning Rodríguez gave up a base hit and walk, before going 3-1 to Andrew Knizner. The next pitch was a 91 MPH fastball out over the middle of the plate that Knizner lifted in the air to right. With the wind blowing out it just kept going, before bouncing off the top of the wall for a three-run homer.  Rodríguez gave up a sharp double and then his day was done after 38 pitches. 

For his part, Rodríguez was not concerned. Rodríguez was quick to point out that he is a veteran of nine seasons and has been through many spring trainings. It's not about results for him.

 "I was throwing my pitches almost right where I wanted, command was a little off, but overall I feel good. I've been in spring training so many times already that I know how it is. There have been some spring trainings where I gave up just two runs and some where I gave up a lot.

...Today I was trying to work on my command, but it was off. So that's something I still need to work on. But overall I'm feeling good with all my pitches, and velocity was right where I wanted, which was 90-93. Overall I take the good part out of it, and the good thing is over here results don't count."

There were a coupe of bright spots of course. Ketel Marte and Christian Walker teamed up for a great play on a ball in the hole with Marte making a running snare and got the ball off to Walker who dove while keeping his toe on the bag to nab the runner. Marte also had a stand up triple, driving the ball off the centerfield wall well over 400 feet away. Jorge Barrosa made a great running catch on a ball to the wall in right center. Eugenio Suárez had a 109 MPH line drive single and then followed that up with a 106 MPH double. But all in all it was just not a good day for the Diamondbacks. 

The team heads out to Goodyear tomorrow to play the Cleveland Guardians. Brandon Pfaadt will make his first Cactus League appearance for the D-backs. Game time is 1:05 P.M.