Diamondbacks Shine with Moreno’s Grand Slam and Strong Pitching

The Arizona Diamondbacks showcased their offensive prowess and solid pitching on Thursday night, May 8, at Chase Field, taking an early lead against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Gabriel Moreno stole the spotlight with an opposite-field grand slam in the fourth inning, propelling the Diamondbacks to a 4-0 lead after 4½ innings. Moreno’s first home run of the season came off a 2-0 fastball from Dodgers right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto, barely clearing the right-field fence. The inning began with Pavin Smith drawing a walk, followed by Josh Naylor’s infield single and Eugenio Suarez being hit by a pitch, setting the stage for Moreno’s heroics.

Right-hander Brandon Pfaadt delivered a strong performance on the mound, tossing five scoreless innings with just two hits and two walks allowed. Despite surrendering several hard-hit balls, including a deep drive by James Outman in the third inning that was caught at the wall by center fielder Alek Thomas, Pfaadt maintained control and kept the Dodgers off the scoreboard. His performance highlighted the Diamondbacks’ pitching depth and potential as they aim to make a statement in the National League West.

Ketel Marte’s Journey Back to Form

Ketel Marte, the Diamondbacks’ star second baseman, has faced challenges since returning from the injured list. After a month-long absence due to a left hamstring strain, Marte has appeared in five games, starting four, but has struggled at the plate, going 2 for 16 with no extra base hits and two walks. Despite his slow start, manager Torey Lovullo remains optimistic about Marte’s potential, emphasizing the importance of reps and patience.

‘He’s going to be great,’ Lovullo said. ‘He just needs reps.’ Marte’s performance in extended spring training had hinted at a strong return, with seven home runs in approximately 25 at-bats on the backfields. The Diamondbacks opted not to send Marte on a traditional rehab assignment, trusting the medical team, data, and the athlete’s readiness. Lovullo believes Marte’s at-bats have been competitive, even if the results haven’t shown yet.

Marte’s return to form is crucial for the Diamondbacks, who could use the elite production he delivered last season, hitting .292/.372/.560 and finishing third in National League MVP voting. Lovullo remains patient, understanding that adjusting to game speed after an injury can take time. ‘I’m going to be patient with him,’ Lovullo said, ‘because he’s an elite player.’

A Six-Man Starting Rotation? Diamondbacks Explore Options

The Diamondbacks are considering a temporary six-man starting rotation to include swingman Ryne Nelson, who has primarily worked out of the bullpen this season but recently started a game. Manager Torey Lovullo confirmed that the idea has been discussed, though no final decision has been made. Such a rotation would provide extra rest for the starters, potentially benefiting pitchers during a busy part of the season.

‘We feel like this is the time where if we can, maybe it’s good to give a somebody or two, or three, a blow,’ Lovullo said. The pitchers have expressed no issues with the potential change, as long as they receive notice four or five days in advance. Lovullo emphasized the importance of giving pitchers a break at some point in the season, though the timing remains uncertain.

Diamondbacks Health Updates: Graveman and Martinez Progressing

Right-handed relief pitcher Kendall Graveman is nearing a return from the 15-day injured list, possibly as early as May 12. Graveman threw 14 pitches in one inning on May 7 at Reno, with his fastball reaching 94-95 mph. He is expected to make another rehab appearance in Reno on May 9, with Lovullo suggesting he may need just one more outing before rejoining the team.

Another right-handed reliever, Justin Martinez, threw from 90 feet on May 8 and reported feeling great. Martinez is set to throw off a mound at Salt River Fields over the weekend, with a potential return around May 16 when his 15-day injured list stint concludes. ‘I think it’s going to potentially be around that time,’ Lovullo said. ‘It’s not going to be much longer than that if it’s not that day.’

Dodgers at Diamondbacks: Series Preview and Key Matchups

The Diamondbacks face a crucial series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, who entered May 7 with the most wins in Major League Baseball (24). The defending World Series champions are in a tight race in the National League West with the San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres, making this series a vital opportunity for the Diamondbacks to gain ground.

The Dodgers are dealing with injuries, likely missing key players Teoscar Hernandez and Tommy Edman, and have depth challenges in their rotation with Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell sidelined. However, their lineup remains formidable with Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman, and their bullpen is equipped to close out games. The Diamondbacks went 6-7 against the Dodgers last season but hold a notable victory, sweeping Los Angeles in the 2023 NL Division Series.

Friday’s game features Diamondbacks LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (1-3, 5.92) against Dodgers RHP Roki Sasaki (1-1, 3.86) at 6:40 p.m. at Chase Field. The series continues Saturday with RHP Corbin Burnes (1-1, 3.58) facing RHP Dustin May (1-2, 4.36) at 5:10 p.m., and concludes Sunday with RHP Zac Gallen (3-4, 4.37) against RHP Ben Casparius (4-0, 2.81) at 1:10 p.m.

Conclusion: A Crucial Series for the Diamondbacks

The Diamondbacks have a golden opportunity to make a statement in the National League West with this series against the Dodgers. With strong pitching performances and offensive breakthroughs like Gabriel Moreno’s grand slam, Arizona aims to build momentum and close the gap in the division race. As the team navigates injuries and roster adjustments, the focus remains on delivering consistent performances and capitalizing on key matchups.

Stay tuned for more updates as the Diamondbacks continue their quest to climb the standings and make their mark in the 2024 season.