Iannetta trying to prevent signs being stolen
LOS ANGELES – In recent weeks, the number of trips to the mound by Diamondbacks catchers seems to have increased exponentially, with conversations taking place sometimes between every pitch or every other pitch, depending on the situation.
Catcher Chris Iannetta says this is less a matter of trying to agree on pitch selection but rather an attempt to avoid having signs stolen. Coincidentally, Iannetta said this before a report surfaced this week of the Boston Red Sox using an Apple Watch in the dugout to relay signs about pitch selection in games against the New York Yankees.
“A lot of times, we’ll go out there and give no sign,” Iannetta said. “It’s not a matter of getting on the same page, but we’ll be out there scripting three pitches in advance of what we’re going to do and not even give a sign.”
Does the sudden increase in trips mean the Diamondbacks believe they’ve been burned by signs being stolen? The logical conclusion would be yes, and both Iannetta and manager Torey Lovullo sort of talked around it when asked.
“There’s really no way of knowing,” Iannetta said. “Did a guy get a hit because he knew or because he just got a hit? You never know.”
Stealing signs has always been an accepted part of the game, so long as the espionage takes place on the field or in the dugout without outside help or electronic equipment.
“If we can steal a sign, we will,” Lovullo said. “But it’s all, for me, done between the white lines. It’s nothing that’s going to happen electronically.”
During a game last week at Chase Field, Iannetta said he and closer Fernando Rodney went nearly an entire inning without giving a sign.
“One pitch could be the difference in the season now,” Iannetta said.
“One pitch could be the difference between making the playoffs and not making the playoffs. We don’t want to run that risk.”
Update from Elias
The Elias Sports Bureau, baseball’s official statistician, issued a correction on the length of the Diamondbacks’ streak of consecutive innings without trailing, changing it from 98 innings to 97 entering Wednesday’s game.
The Diamondbacks trailed 1-0 in the second inning on Aug. 25 before taking the lead in the third inning. They have not trailed since. Elias decided on Wednesday not to count the third inning as the start of the streak since they did trail at one point in the inning before scoring.
After additional research, Elias also changed the all-time recorder holder for the longest streak.
They’re now saying the 1942 New York Yankees hold the record with 100 innings without trailing.
The Diamondbacks’ 97-inning streak was tied with the 1947 Brooklyn Dodgers for the second-longest of all-time, according to Elias.
Short hop
Right-hander Randall Delgado’s rehab outing on Wednesday was originally scheduled with rookie-level Missoula. Due to weather concerns, he instead will pitch for short-season Hillsboro.