The early departure of Carroll from today’s game was an unpleasant Surprise…
Record: 4-4-1. Change on 2024: -0.5. Five inning result: 6-3-1.
The D-backs sent Eduardo Rodriguez to the mound for the first time this year, and he looked solid. He was hitting 92 mph, which was his average from last year, and tossed two hitless innings, with one walk and a strikeout. I know it’s only spring, but the five effective members of the Arizona rotation (Burnes, Gallen, Kelly, Pfaadt and Rodriguez) have combined to allow one earned run over twelve innings so far. Blake Walston followed, and gave up a two-run homer in the third and another in the fourth; Ryan Thompson was also tagged for two homers, in the fifth. But the rest of the pen was solid, striking out seven across three shutout innings.
Arizona had chances early, getting two hits in the first and then the second inning. But they didn’t score until they were 6-0 down, Jordan Lawlar doubling in Alek Thomas. Jose Herrera had an RBI double, and Tim Tawa scored on a wild pitch. However, the bad news was the removal of Corbin Carroll from the game, with what the team later said was tightness in his lower back. It is likely nothing: Steve Gilbert subsequently spoke to Carroll, who said he wasn’t overly concerned and didn’t feel it was a big deal. He’ll take tomorrow off, and the team has no game Tuesday. Today in Surprise, Jose Herrera had two hits, but the D-backs didn’t draw a walk, striking out 12 times.
Tomorrow, the D-backs are back at Salt River Fields, and will be facing the Cubs behind Corbin Burnes. It’s a 1:10 pm first pitch. Might see Shelby Miller in action. You have been warned…