Diamondbacks at Marlins
With their upcoming schedule littered with serious playoff contenders, the Arizona Diamondbacks could not afford to stub their toe this week against two of the worst teams in baseball. The Diamondbacks attempt to bounce back from a disheartening loss and try to avoid falling under .500 on Saturday when they visit Miami for the second of four games versus the Marlins.
Arizona (52-52) was unable to take advantage of another strong start from Zack Greinke in Friday's 3-2 loss as closer Greg Holland loaded the bases with nobody out in the ninth inning, allowing Miami's Jorge Alfaro and Harold Ramirez to win the game on consecutive sacrifice flies. The Diamondbacks, who don't face an opponent with a losing record again after this weekend until Aug. 12, fell to 2-2 against the team with the second-worst record in baseball (Baltimore) and the National League-worst Marlins (39-62). Miami is playing better than its record would indicate lately, however, as it has allowed a total of three runs during a three-game winning streak. The Marlins ended a three-game losing streak against the Diamondbacks with Friday's outcome and are 8-4 over their last 12 games against them at home.
TV: 6:10 p.m. ET, FS Arizona, FS Florida (Miami)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks LH Alex Young (3-0, 2.38 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Jordan Yamamoto (4-1, 2.61)
Young struggled for the first time as a big leaguer in a no-decision Sunday against Milwaukee, giving up four runs on three hits and three walks while striking out five over four innings. The 2015 second-round pick had won each of his first three starts since his promotion in late June, allowing a total of two runs and six hits in 16 1/3 frames. Young fanned 64 over 54 2/3 minor-league innings but otherwise struggled with Triple-A Reno prior to getting recalled, going 4-3 with a 6.09 ERA across 20 appearances (eight starts).
Yamamoto took his first loss in seven career major-league starts Sunday in Los Angeles, surrendering five runs on four hits - two homers - and two walks over four innings. The 23-year-old Hawaiian has experienced control issues (19 walks in 38 frames), but had managed to hold the opposition to two earned runs or fewer in his six previous turns. Yamamoto, who is holding opponents to a .148 average overall, is 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA in three home starts as he faces Arizona for the first time.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Diamondbacks have been successful in their last 24 stolen base attempts - the seventh longest single-season streak in the majors since 1998.
2. Miami LHP Jarlin Garcia tossed a perfect seventh inning Friday and has worked a career-best 18 consecutive scoreless innings - the longest such streak by a left-handed reliever in club history.
3. Arizona All-Star 2B Ketel Marte went 1-for-3 with a walk in the opener and is batting .377 in July.