We’ve reached the point in Spring Training where I must dust off the keyboard and start stretching my fingers out in preparation for my weekly recaps. Tonight’s contest between the Brew Crew and Snakes was originally scheduled to be an afternoon matchup, but due to the unseasonably warm hot weather, the game was flexed to a nighttime slot. The high temperatures certainly seemed to help the balls jump tonight, which didn’t do any favors for the pair of starting pitchers making their final starts of Spring before they next pitch on Opening Day for their respective clubs.
In Zac Gallen’s final tune-up for the season, things got off to a rough start immediately when he gave a leadoff double and then walked the bases loaded and gave up a 2 RBI single to Sal Frelick before getting out of the first inning. Gallen’s second inning went smoother, recording three straight outs to strand a leadoff single, but then the wheels came off and stayed off. After the D-backs’ offense put up a 6-spot in the bottom of the second, Gallen gave up a pair of solo homers and an RBI triple to trim the lead to 1 run in the third. Then in the fourth, Gallen gave up another solo homer to leave his final line at 9 H, 2 BB, 6 ER and 0 K over 4 IP. It was an outing to forget, but Zac left the game healthy which I suppose is the most important thing here. He did make 66 pitches, so should be able to reasonably get to 80-85 pitches next Thursday.
The Diamondbacks starting lineup was about as close as we’ve seen to a possible Opening Day lineup. Ketel, Corbin and Domo were all in the lineup for the first time together this Spring, then Arenado, Santana, Alek and Lawlar rounded out the rest of the expected regulars with the only missing pieces being Pavin at DH and Gabby/McCann at catcher. Lawlar kept his hot Spring going with a pair of hits and Alek, Domo, Arenado, Tawa each got a hit. Ketel Marte didn’t reach base but he had the hardest hit ball of the game with a 111.7 mph screamer. Corbin Carroll earned 2 walks but also fanned twice. All six runs by the starting offense came in the 2nd inning; 4 of those runs were charged to the Brewers just-named Opening Day starter Jacob Misiorowski.
For the bullpen, Phillip Abner allowed 1 run in his inning of work, but was followed by Ryan Thompson, Kevin Ginkel, Bryce Jarvis, and Andrew Hoffman who all put up zeroes. In fact, those last four relievers, who all figure to be heavily involved in the D-backs bullpen plan this season, didn’t allow a single baserunner.
Most of our starting offense exited after the 6th inning, giving way to Tim Tawa and a slew of youngsters. Pedro Catuy played the hero when he provided the go-ahead hit in the bottom of the 8th He roped a double to left to score Jakey Josepha and Carlos Virahonda and put the good guys up by one run.
Well, the next time I recap a game, it will be the regular season! Congratulations everyone, we made it through the dark winter and have emerged out the other side ready to root on our beloved Diamondbacks in another campaign. See you next week!
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