D-Backs pile up 32 runs, ride 2-out rallies to 3-game sweep of Padres
The Diamondbacks didn’t just score 32 runs in three days against the San Diego Padres, they scored them in crippling fashion, stringing together a series of two-out hits on their way to completing a three-game sweep.
After scoring eight runs with two out on Tuesday and five more on Wednesday, the Diamondbacks scored a whopping 10 runs with two out in Thursday’s 15-3 series finale.
“I just think it’s a sign of who we are,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. “Offensively, we’re very capable at any time, and we can strike in a lot of different ways. We’re never out of innings.”
The past two games have been particularly impressive. The Diamondbacks twice put together huge rallies that began with the bases empty and two out.
On Wednesday, they drew consecutive walks with two out in the third inning before Jake Lamb’s three-run homer, then notched two more runs when Brandon Drury followed a Chris Owings single with a two-run homer.
On Thursday, they scored two runs apiece in the first and fifth innings, but it was a six-run sixth that blew the game open. All three of those innings began with the Padres retiring the first two batters.
“We have a lot of two-out success because, I think, there might be a little natural letdown,” Lovullo said. “The pitcher feels like he’s close to being out of some situations, but we take advantage of those things.”
The Diamondbacks entered the day with 105 runs with two outs, ranking eighth in the National League.
D-Backs keep McCain up late
Sen. John McCain confused viewers Thursday with a distracted and listless line of questioning of former FBI Director James Comey, azcentral’s Dan Nowicki reported.
McCain’s interrogation came late in the dramatic and widely watched open Senate hearing in which Comey offered his first public testimony since Trump abruptly axed him on May 9.
In a written statement after the hearing, McCain clarified his remarks, acknowledging that, based on the Twitter reactions, his questions “my line of questioning today went over people’s heads.”
Making light, he added: “Maybe going forward I shouldn’t stay up late watching the Diamondbacks night games.”
The Diamondbacks played a 3-hour, 48-minute game Wednesday night.
Greinke on paternity leave
The Diamondbacks placed right-hander Zack Greinke on the paternity list on Thursday morning, replacing him with right-hander Silvino Bracho, who gives the club a fresh arm for the bullpen.
Greinke’s wife, Emily, is expecting the couple’s second child. Players can remain on the paternity list for up to three days, so Greinke’s absence should have no bearing on his ability to be ready for his next start, scheduled for Tuesday in Detroit.
Bracho is on his fourth tour of duty with the Diamondbacks this season, having been called up and optioned back down three times already.
He did not appear in a game during his most recent stint with the team last weekend in Miami.