Slumping Lamb sticks with his process
SARAH MCLELLAN
A stat line that’s sagged in the second half of the season compared to the first half isn’t the only difference Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo has detected from third baseman Jake Lamb.
He’s missed on pitches that he previously squared up, and Lamb hasn’t found himself in as many hitter-friendly counts as he did earlier in the schedule.
“I think those are two catalysts that he’s aware of that will help him get back to where he was,” Lovullo said.
But what Lovullo believes has remained the same for Lamb is the solution for climbing out of this slump.
“The one thing I’ve noticed about Jake that’s been very consistent has been the process in which he’s following and the belief that he has in himself has not changed,” Lovullo said. “I know this game can be tough and unforgiving at times. It seems like the harder you try, the worse you do. But Jake has been very consistent with all of his activities, and all of his interactions with me, with his teammates, with his coaches lead me to believe he’ll be just fine.”
After batting .279 with 88 hits, 20 home runs and 67 RBIs through the first half, Lamb has dropped to .205 with 35 hits, seven homers and 31 RBIs in the second half. His slugging percentage has also tapered off, dipping from .546 to .398. Same with his OPS (.922 to .733).
He went 2-for-12 with a double and RBI over the weekend against the Padres and wasn’t in the starting lineup Monday as the Diamondbacks opened a four-game set against the Rockies by facing left-hander Kyle Freeland. Lamb’s hitting just .151 against lefties.
“Just gone through a few stretches whether it’s balls aren’t falling or not seeing the ball well,” Lamb said. “But it’s one of those things you gotta keep working. It definitely helps that we’re winning games. At the end of the day, whether I’m hitting or not hitting, just play good defense and just gotta keep working with (hitting coach Dave Magadan) and working on my swing.”
Lovullo’s observation about Lamb’s preparation was spot-on. In searching for better results, Lamb hasn’t made any sweeping changes.
The opponents are the same, he said, as is he. Lamb is two homers shy of tying his career-high (29) and needs only two RBIs to achieve his first ever 100-RBI season, clear hallmarks of a productive campaign.
So he doesn’t feel overhauling his approach is the answer.
“Just gotta keep working,” Lamb said. Right fielder J.D. Martinez was named the National League Player of the Week Monday for his performance last week, which included his fourhomer showing last Monday against the Dodgers to become just the 18th player in league history to smack four home runs in a single game.
Overall, Martinez hit .429 with 12 hits, seven home runs and 11 RBIs in six games.
This was his fifth career Player of the Week honor and first as a Diamondback but third of the season; he’s the only player in the majors to be recognized that many times this season.
“A very well-deserved honor for him,” Lovullo said. “He is continuing to help us win games in a variety of games – not just the home run. He had four hits the other day (Saturday against the Padres) and had some crucial at-bats and did exactly what the at-bats were asking him to do. He’s showing us he’s a complete hitter with a great understanding of what is needed.”
The Diamondbacks had yet to receive a response from orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews after sending the results of right-hander Randall Delgado’s MRI to Andrews for evaluation.
Delgado was shut down last week with a flexor strain in his right elbow.