PHOENIX – The season is barely a week and a half old, but you can look at just about every facet of the Arizona Diamondbacks and find reason for concern.
That sentiment rang true in their 12-7 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday at Chase Field.
The D’backs have played three series and have lost them all, dropping to 3-6. It’s not the way they wanted to open the season, particularly on a nine-game homestand.
“It’s frustrating, especially with the plans that you set for yourself coming into the season,” center fielder Chris Young said. “It’s definitely not something you envision, but it’s something that’s happened, something that we’re in right now and we need to turn it around.”
What happened in the nine games? The Arizona offense was streaky, the rotation inconsistent, and the bullpen exhibited a soft side, particularly in, but not exclusive to, the middle innings. Oh, yeah, and Brandon Webb went on the disabled list.
“It seems like when we’re hitting we’re not pitching,” first baseman Chad Tracy said. “When we’re pitching we’re not hitting right now. Everybody just has to take it upon themselves to try to grind all day long and I think good things will happen.”
Right-hander Jon Garland, who was sharp in his Arizona debut last week against the Dodgers, lasted just 3 1/2 innings Wednesday. He allowed seven runs, five of which came in the third inning as the Cardinals hand four hits and three walks to jump to a 6-0 lead.
After the D’backs pulled within 7-5, right-hander Yusmeiro Petit, working on three days’ rest after a 73-pitch starting assignment Saturday, allowed four runs.
But at least the D’backs offense came alive. Mark Reynolds homered for the second day in a row. Right fielder Justin Upton, whose struggles were so pronounced the club was contemplating sending him to the minors, crushed an RBI double. Eric Byrnes had a pinch-hit home run in the sixth.
And Tracy (two doubles) and Felipe Lopez (on base three times), who have hit well since Opening Day, continued to look good.
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Diamondbacks at San Francisco Giants, 7:15 p.m., FSNA, 1490 AM