Reliable D-backs defense stumbles in Fall Classic

PHOENIX -- The D-backs were one of the Major Leagues’ best defensive teams in 2023, and manager Torey Lovullo is fond of saying, “I’m pitching and defense at my core.”

Three D-backs players -- first baseman Christian Walker, catcher Gabriel Moreno and center fielder Alek Thomas -- are among the Rawlings Gold Glove finalists at their positions.

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But in the final two games of the World Series, the D-backs’ defense broke down twice, and both times were costly.

In Game 4 on Tuesday, it was Walker’s misplay of a grounder that contributed to a five-run Rangers rally that set the stage for an 11-7 Texas win, with all the runs unearned. It was an uncharacteristic play from last year’s Gold Glove winner and someone who continually made outstanding plays all season.

In Game 5 on Wednesday, a Series-clinching 5-0 win for the Rangers, Jonah Heim’s single scooted under Thomas' glove for a two-base error that allowed an additional run to score as Texas posted four insurance runs in the ninth inning.

“Inside the day, today and yesterday a little bit, it was kind of a grinding type of feeling,” Lovullo said. “We weren't playing freely defensively. And you see what happens when you make mistakes like that and you do it against good teams on this level. In the final series of the year, it compounds itself, and it led to some crooked numbers.”

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Walker was trying to turn a double play when he bobbled his ball, and Thomas was hoping to keep Nathaniel Lowe from going from first to third on the RBI single to center.

“I'm not saying they would or wouldn't have scored runs, but Alek was just trying to knock down 90 feet and save that guy going from first to third,” Lovullo said. “And it led to a big inning. We tried to play fast. Defensively, it means sometimes we make some mistakes, but we've been very good all year long securing the baseball. The last two days we did not, and it showed up and made a difference.”

For Thomas, coming in on ground balls is something he is going to focus hard on during the offseason.

“It sucks,” Thomas said. “I definitely could have done a better job of getting in front of the ball and calming down and just fielding it, but I think I rushed it and just didn't get the glove down. I think I made an error on that two times last year and this year, and I think by now I should learn my lesson on how to go about that ball. But definitely gonna work on that in the offseason, make sure that doesn't happen again."