Manager Has Words for Former Red Sox Pitcher After Ugly Loss

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Michael DeRosa | Last updated May 12, 2025 9:37 AM ET

The Arizona Diamondbacks have had mixed results to start the season, as their 21-20 record effectively demonstrates. They just split their latest four-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, which included an 8-1 loss to LA on Sunday.

However, their roughest pitching game of the series was on Friday. The Diamondbacks fell to the Dodgers by a 14-11 final score. While they certainly had their offense going in this matchup, their pitching struggled big time.

It was a start to forget for Diamondbacks pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez, especially. The former Boston Red Sox pitcher gave up six earned runs on nine hits in just 2.2 innings pitched. With this, the 6-foot-2 lefthander now sports a 1-3 record and 6.86 ERA in eight starts this campaign.

Following the game, Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo called out Rodriguez for failing to back up home plate, which led to Dodgers infielder Miguel Rojas scoring on a Shohei Ohtani double.

"I'm more upset that he didn't back up home plate than I am not getting off the mound," Lovullo said. "That type of stuff bugs the F out of me."

It is understandable that Lovullo was frustrated with Rodriguez. It is a pitcher's responsibility to do so, and the Diamondbacks were burned during this play.

Sometimes, a manager needs to send a message to their players, and Lovullo certainly tried to do just that with his comments about Rodriguez. It will be fascinating to see how Rodriguez responds to this and his tough start for the Diamondbacks from here.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: