Ray strikes out 11, as Deadline decisions loom
Lefty pitches solid game as D-backs consider whether to be sellers
Steve Gilbert
@SteveGilbertMLBMIAMI -- The D-backs are six games into a seven-game stretch against a pair of last-place teams that looked likely to make or break their status as National League Wild Card contenders, and after Sunday afternoon¡¯s 5-1 loss to Miami at Marlins Park, they are 3-3.
That¡¯s in line with their season record, which once again fell to .500 at 53-53.
The D-backs took two of three from the last-place Orioles last week at Chase Field, but they¡¯ve dropped two of the first three games in this four-game set with the Marlins.
¡°I think we all had better expectations over the course of those series,¡± D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said. ¡°That¡¯s the beauty of baseball. The records don¡¯t indicate what¡¯s going to happen on a baseball field. You¡¯ve got to get [the] job done. I think that¡¯s why I¡¯m probably a little frustrated. I don¡¯t think we played our best baseball today.¡±
The D-backs probably had to dominate both the Orioles and Marlins for management to decide not to look seriously at selling at Wednesday¡¯s Trade Deadline.
Robbie Ray¡¯s name has been mentioned prominently in trade rumors and the left-hander did nothing to hurt his value, as he struck out 11 and did not walk a batter over six innings. Ray allowed three runs, only two of which were earned.
¡°I felt good,¡± Ray said. ¡°I felt like I was pounding the zone, getting ahead of guys. I think there were a lot of foul balls, but overall no walks, got through the sixth inning, kept us in there and gave us a chance to win. It just didn¡¯t work out.¡±
Ray no doubt is tired of answering questions about the possibility of being traded, but he was once again asked about it postgame.
¡°Like I said, I¡¯m going out there to pitch every fifth day, so whatever happens, happens,¡± Ray said. ¡°I feel like I¡¯ve put myself in a good situation pitching really well lately, so we¡¯ll just have to see.¡±
Ray, who came to the D-backs in a trade prior to the 2015 season, is due for a big raise from the $6.05 million he earned this year, via salary arbitration this offseason. He is eligible for free agency after the 2020 season.
¡°He takes the ball every fifth day, he¡¯s extremely competitive, he¡¯s got great edge when he¡¯s on the mound and he¡¯s got tremendous balance when he¡¯s away from the ballpark and I think that¡¯s what makes him a special player,¡± Lovullo said. ¡°He¡¯s a tough man. He¡¯s an extremely talented man and I love watching him work every five days.¡±
What Lovullo did not enjoy watching Sunday was his offense, which managed just one run on four hits.
¡°It was a situation where we didn¡¯t really come to life with the bats,¡± he said. ¡°It¡¯s a tough game. it¡¯s a frustrating game. It¡¯s a hard game, I know that. I feel like with the group of guys that we have in there, we have to be better, can be better. I don¡¯t want to disrespect any Major League pitching staff, but I know we¡¯ve got a better offensive team than we showed today.¡±
As Arizona¡¯s players wait to see what will happen before Wednesday¡¯s deadline, Lovullo will try to keep them focused on the task at hand.
¡°I get frustrated when we don¡¯t perform the way I think we can,¡± Lovullo said. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s highlighted right now. I¡¯ll take the temperature of that room in the next several minutes and tomorrow and see what they think and make sure we¡¯re ready to play.¡±