D-backs get embarrassed in distressing defeat to Pirates

Paul Skenes was dealing on Wednesday as he pitched 6.2 scoreless innings while only allowing four hits with no walks and seven strikeouts. The Pirates were about to have a shutout over the D-Backs until Tim Tawa’s pinch-hit home run in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Zac Gallen has his moments where he showed he can still at times handle the pressure on Wednesday, although it’s more about longevity in his outings as he hit a wall again in the fifth and sixth innings. Juan Morillo entered after Gallen became unglued and didn’t have any better luck as they gave up a combined seven earned runs to a Pirates team who isn’t exactly known for their offense.

Head Coach Torey Lovullo spoke on the team’s struggles recently: (Credit – Arizona Sports)

“I think I’m a very patient person, but I have a breaking point and I know you guys can sense that I’m there. They’re responsible, they’re accountable and they all know internally what they’re supposed to do to help this get better. … I think the clubhouse is in a good spot. I think they’re really, really frustrated and wanting good things to happen immediately. But it’s not gonna get better until we make it get better.”

It feels like a broken record at this point for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Whether it is inconsistent hitting at the plate and leaving runners on base, or the bullpen being in complete disarray without showing any signs of life in the future, the issues are glaring and are on full display.

The D-Backs are now two games under .500 with their record sitting at 27-29 and have now lost three straight series in a row. They will have an off day before welcoming the Washington Nationals to Chase field for a three-game weekend series.