D-backs Bats Quieted by Kyle Freeland in Loss to Rockies

Arizona could not capitalize on early opportunities against the Rockies left-hander in a one-run loss.

The Diamondbacks were off to a promising start in tonight's ballgame, as they scored their first run just two batters in against left-hander Kyle Freeland. However, that would prove to be a mirage, as the D-backs would manage just one run on four hits the rest of the way in a 3-2 loss to the Colorado Rockies. The loss, coupled with walk-off wins by the Miami Marlins and Cincinnati Reds, now pushes the D-backs a full game back from a playoff spot with just 23 games to go.

The initial plan against Freeland was to be aggressive early in the count with runners in scoring position. It yielded positive results early, as they scored runs on the first two pitches they saw in their run-scoring opportunities. However in their final four chances to score a run, three of them with the potential tying run in scoring position, they were unable to collect the big hit. They swung at 12 of the 17 pitches they faced and didn't make solid contact.

"I think Freeland caught on to that and we didn't make an adjustment," said D-backs manager Torey Lovullo. "Our game plan was to go early, he's going to crowd the zone early, and just be ready to hit. We got him quick in the first two batters, and I think he made an adjustment."

The poor offensive showing wasted a fantastic performance by the bullpen, who retired 16 of the 17 hitters faced over 5 1/3 scoreless innings. Left-hander Andrew Saalfrank, who made his major league debut, was the highlight of the night. The rookie left-hander was impressive in his major league debut, retiring all five batters faced with two strikeouts.

First MLB strikeout in the books for @Dbacks reliever Andrew Saalfrank! ✔️ pic.twitter.com/SiuFNFhz95

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) September 6, 2023

"Congrats to Andrew and his family, I know I could hear them up there cheering," said Lovullo. "He came in and had an ease to him when I handed him the ball on the mound. Sometimes you see the face of somebody stepping on the bump for the first time and does it tell you a great story? I handed him the ball and I felt like he was going to execute and he did."

The bullpen stepped up to the challenge following an ineffective start from Brandon Pfaadt. Pfaadt labored through 3 2/3 innings, allowing a run in three of the four innings he appeared. Coupled with another start like that against the Dodgers last time out and a game that was potentially slipping, Lovullo felt he needed to go get his rookie right-hander.

"We're at the time of the year where you can't wait around and let things develop. I just felt like the innings were long, the infielders' and outfielders' heads were down, and there was no rhythm for them getting back in the dugout and getting there offensively. I had a lot of opportunities to match with the bullpen and keep the score where it is because I could see we were having problems with Freeland who I thought we'd get to but we never did."

The loss puts more urgency on tomorrow's series finale, as the D-backs can still salvage a series win against the Rockies. Right-hander Zach Davies (2-5, 6.45 ERA) takes the bump for Arizona, opposed by right-hander Chris Flexen (1-6, 6.89 ERA), with the first pitch scheduled for 12:40 pm MST.