Third Inning Avalanche Buries Pfaadt, D-backs

Pfaadt continues to struggle during his rookie season, as a five-run third inning proved to be the difference.

Rookie right-hander Brandon Pfaadt was given another opportunity to show he belonged in the rotation. However the results were more of the same, as Pfaadt allowed six runs in two-plus innings as the Diamondbacks fell to the Tampa Bay Rays 6-1 at Chase Field. 

In his first six career starts, he has allowed five runs in four of them, which has put Arizona out of the game in all but one of them. Pfaadt, who MLB Pipeline ranked as the 25th best prospect in baseball, has struggled to adjust to big league hitters with an ERA of 9.82 and nine home runs allowed in his first 25 2/3 innings. 

After struggling in his first five starts he was optioned to Triple-A Reno to work on his mechanics, specifically to work on the glove tap in his delivery and driving through to the catcher. Pfaadt also added a sinker to his repertoire, which he's used exclusively to right-handed hitters.

For the first two innings it appeared his stuff was improved compared to his first stint, as he generated seven whiffs and struck out three. His fastball showed a lot of improvement, sitting 93-95 MPH and getting it by hitters. However he was unable to consistently locate his secondary when he was ahead to finish off hitters.

"I felt really good in the first two innings," said Pfaadt. "Then the third came along, obviously we hit a wall, not what we were expecting based on what I felt."

Pfaadt blames poor execution for why his start unraveled in the third, although manager Torey Lovullo also hinted at pitch selection playing a role. 

"I think the sweeper was a little bit flat and maybe not the right pitch. I'm not making excuses for him, but his pitch selection was not perfect. They're a good team, a smart team. They saw some vulnerabilities with certain pitches, they saw it a couple times and they were ready to attack the sweeper."

Lovullo also felt encouraged by the improvement in Pfaadt's 4-seam fastball in his start. "I like the 95s with rise. He needs to attack to with the pitch, he can throw it in three different spots. You have a fastball at the top, fastball on each corner". He then drew out a triangle to further illustrate his point. "That's hard to manage at 95, especially when you have the 4-rise."

With the D-backs' rotation depth taking a massive hit this week with Merrill Kelly on the injured list, Pfaadt will need to perform better in his next two starts in order to keep this team in contention for a playoff spot. They still currently sit two games ahead of the San Francisco Giants for first place in the National League West, but with the Giants heating up of late that lead looks to be in jeopardy.

The D-backs didn't execute well on offense either. Their only run came on a Lourdes Gurriel Jr. solo home run to lead off the seventh, on a line drive that bounced off the top of the left field fence. They were unable to capitalize on their opportunities to score runs, going 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position on the day. Three times they had a runner reach second with no outs and failed to score.

Outfielder Corbin Carroll left the game in the fourth inning due to right shoulder soreness and is currently considered day-to-day. It was the same shoulder that was surgically repaired back in 2021. In a postgame update, Lovullo stated that Carroll will not undergo further testing or imaging of that shoulder but we could see a roster move to shore up the outfield. The rookie phenom was recently named to the National League starting lineup for the All-Star Game, which will be hosted in his hometown of Seattle.

Ketel Marte drew a walk in the third inning, which extended his on-base streak to 22 consecutive games. Marte has reached base in 52 of his last 53 games, in which he's batting .302/.397/.545 with 13 home runs. He has walked 31 times compared to just 39 strikeouts in 239 plate appearances.

The D-backs will have a quick turnaround, as they travel to Anaheim to take on the Los Angeles Angels (44-39). Left-hander Tommy Henry (4-1, 4.31 ERA) will square off against Griffin Canning (6-2, 3.99 ERA), who is finally healthy and producing for the Angels. First pitch at Angel Stadium will be at 9:38 PM ET, 6:38 PM MST.