D-backs defense phoned it in while Noe Ramirez dropped the win for Caleb Smith
Diamondbacks News:
From the Jim: The Brewers did not waste their chance in the fifth, though it was more notable for awful D-backs defense. A lead-off double was followed by an attempted pick-off. However, the throw was wild, and Rojas wrapped his arms around the runner to stop him advancing (above). An interference error was called on Josh, moving the runner up. Woodruff then singled home the go-ahead run for Milwaukee. One out later, Christian Walker couldn’t field a squib shot, which spun off his glove for another E. The D-backs were then very lucky it wasn’t three errors in the inning. Smith coaxed a pop-up, which VanMeter misjudged and missed. Fortunately, the umpire had called for an infield fly, resulting in the second out.
D-backs not concerned by Ketel Marte’s latest leg injury
From the article: Lovullo said the club’s medical staff believes the issue does not rise to the level of needing an MRI, though as usual he did not offer a timetable for a return.
Corbin Martin is starting Friday
From the blurb: Martin believes he’s trying to be too fine with his pitches, particularly with two strikes. “I think I’m picking the zone a little bit too much,” he said. “I would say that at some point I try to be too perfect with two strikes and that’s when I’m losing guys.” Opposing batters are hitting .281/.395/.563 off Martin with two strikes, while the league average in those situations is .161/.237/.259.
Stefan Crichton designated for assignment
From the article: and recalled outfielder Nick Heath from Triple-A Reno in his place. Crichton, 29, worked some high-leverage spots for the Snakes early in the season and even tallied four saves in the season’s first five weeks. In fact, Crichton is the only D-backs reliever with multiple saves this season and leads the team with nine saves dating back to Opening Day 2020. The right-hander’s results have tanked as of late, however, leading to a 6.04 ERA that surely prompted Wednesday’s DFA.
Baseball News:
MLB Commissioner addresses criticism of foreign substance ban
From the Manfred: “Managers have always had the right to challenge or ask the umpires to inspect somebody for the use of foreign substances,” he told Ghiroli. “I have great respect for two aspects of managers: a) their understanding for what’s going on the field and b) the good judgment they have in terms of not creating spectacles on the field. … As of right now, I’m comfortable with the rule the way it is. We did make a point, we appreciated the possibility of gamesmanship, and if in fact it becomes a problem we will deal with it.”
Fix baseball? MLB is working on a plan
“We have to do it in a way that isn’t too far removed from the essence of baseball,” Epstein said recently. “No one is looking to reinvent the wheel here. This is the greatest game in the world, and we want to preserve the essence of baseball. A lot of this is restoring the game to the way it’s historically been played.”