ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS NOTES:
IN THE WEST: The D-backs are third in the NL West, 4.0 games behind the Giants and 12.5 games behind the Dodgers.
ROSTER MOVES: The D-backs recalled OF Kyle Lewis from Triple-A Reno and, following yesterday’s game, optioned OF Jake McCarthy to Reno.
WELCOME BACK, DELLUCCI: D-backs’ 2001 World Series Champion and 13-year MLB veteran David Dellucci joins the radio broadcast this week with Chris Garagiola.
VS. ROCKIES: In 7 matchups this season vs. Rockies, the D-backs are 6-1…they took 2 out of 3 in their first series @ Coors Field (April 28-30) and swept the series @ Chase Field (4-0) from May 29-June 1.
♦ Since 2022, among NL West teams at Coors Field, the D-backs rank first in stolen bases (15) and fewest strikeouts (77) and are second in runs (84).
THE DIVISION STRETCH: The D-backs’ next 7 games will be against NL West teams: Rockies (Aug. 14-16) and Padres (Aug. 17-20) with 44 regular-season games remaining.
♦ Arizona is 20-17 vs. NL West opponents this season and 11-8 in their last 19 matchups.
♦ From today, 15 of Arizona’s final 44 regular-season games are against NL West teams.
SERIES SECURED: Yesterday, the D-backs secured their second series win post-All-Star break and 20th overall this season… it marked the first series victory for the D-backs vs. Padres since they took 3-of-4 from Aug. 12-15 @ Chase Field.
THE ANSWERBACKS RETURN: The D-backs’ 29 comeback wins this season are tied for third most in the NL (also: Cubs and Dodgers) [T-6th most in MLB], behind the Reds (37), Braves (31), Marlins (31), Giants (31) and Phillies (31).
♦ It also marked the D-backs fifth victory vs. Padres since 2019 after facing a deficit of 3+ runs in the game and second of the season (also: April 4 @ Padres; 4-run deficit thru 5.0 innings & won 8-6).
PINCH-HIT PIÑA POWER: Yesterday vs. Padres in the seventh inning, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. collected his first career pinch-hit home run (game-tying 2-run HR off Nick
Martinez)… it marked his 19th home run of the 2023 campaign and he is just 3 shy of setting a new career high (current: 21 HR in 2021 with the Blue Jays).
♦ Gurriel’s homer yesterday was the second D-backs’ pinch-hit HR this season (also: Kyle Lewis go-ahead 2-run HR on March 31 @ Dodgers off Alex Vesia). SHUT IT
DOWN, SEWALD: Paul Sewald has collected consecutive saves over the last 2 games (Aug. 12 & 13 vs. Padres), marking the first time with the D-backs where he’s collected 2+ consecutive saves and ninth time this season… he has converted a career-high 23 saves in 27 opportunities, which are eighth most in the Majors.
♦ Has not allowed a run in 37 of his 49 appearances…is scoreless in 13 of his 18 games vs. NL opponents.
BULLPEN BUSINESS: Over their last 5 games, since Aug. 7, D-backs’ relievers 3.66 ERA is fifth in the NL, behind the Dodgers (2.05), Braves (2.20), Marlins (2.57) and Nationals (3.38)…they are also the only NL staff in the span to not allow a home run.
SWIPIN’ BAGS: Since Aug. 4, the D-backs 14 stolen bases are tied for second in the Majors (also: Dodgers), behind the Royals (16) and ahead of the Braves (12).
♦ Arizona ranks third in the Majors this season with 122 stolen bases, behind the Reds (134) and Rays (129).
♦ The D-backs set a new franchise high in stolen bases in a game with 8 on Aug. 6 @ Twins, breaking their previous record of 7 originally set in 2000 and matched twice since (all games with 7+ stolen bases have taken place on the road).
DIAMOND DEFENDERS: The D-backs’ .990 fielding pct. is tied for the best in the Majors (also: Cardinals), while their 40 errors are the fewest, ahead of the Cardinals (44) and Rangers (46).
♦ Arizona’s 40 errors are the fewest in franchise history through the first 117 games of a season…the previous low was 47 in 2018.
♦ The current franchise low for errors in a full season (excluding 2020) is 75 in 2013 and 2018.
MARTE CHASING 100: Ketel Marte’s 98 home runs as a D-back ranks 10th on the D-backs franchise list and is 1 from tying Matt Williams for 9th.
♦ Marte is 1 of 12 D-backs with 90+ home runs and looks to become the ninth D-back to reach the 100+ home run mark: 224 – Luis Gonzalez; 209 – Paul Goldschmidt; 153 – Steve Finley; 132 – Chris Young; 121 – Mark Reynolds; 110 – David Peralta; 109 – Christian Walker; 110 – Justin Upton; 99 – Matt Williams; 98 – Ketel Marte; 97 – Miguel Montero; 91 – Jay Bell.
CARROLL ON THE BAGS: Corbin Carroll’s 36 stolen bases rank third in the Majors, behind Ronald Acuña Jr./ATL (55) and Esteury Ruiz/OAK (46).
♦ Carroll’s 36 stolen bases are the most by a rookie in D-backs’ franchise history, ahead of Chris Young/2007 (27).
♦ Carroll’s 36 stolen bases rank fifth all-time by a D-back in a season, behind Tony Womack/1999 (72), Eric Byrnes/2007 (50), Tony Womack/2000 (45) and A.J. Pollock/2015 (39).
STARTING PITCHER – RHP MERRILL KELLY ♦ #29
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Has made 4 starts (0-1, 2.35 ERA, 22 K) since returning from the injured list on July 25.
- His 3.05 ERA is third-best among NL qualifiers behind Blake Snell/SD (2.63) and Justin Steele/CHC (2.79) and ahead of Zac Gallen/AZ (3.24).
- In his last 2 road starts @ Rockies, is 2-0 with a 1.38 ERA (3 R-2 ER in 13.0 IP).
- In 9 road starts in 2023, is 6-1 with a 2.77 ERA (16 ER in 52.0 IP)… the D-backs are 7-2 in those contests.
- The D-backs are 7-5 in his last 12 starts.
ALL-STAR WORTHY: Ranked among NL starters in wins (T-1st, 9), opponent average (5th, .210), IP (7th, 95.0) and ERA (9th, 3.22) prior to going on the IL on June 27.
LAST START: Exited in the seventh inning with a right leg cramp tied at 0-0 on Aug. 9 vs. Dodgers (ND; 0 ER in 6.0 IP).
VS. ROCKIES: In 10 career starts, is 4-3 with a 4.26 ERA (33 R-30 ER in 63.1 IP).
- In 5 career starts @ Coors Field, is 3-2 with a 5.28 ERA (20 R-18 ER in 30.2 IP).
PITCH TRACKING: Opposing batters are hitting .149 (17-for-114) with 32 strikeouts on his changeup, .208 (11-for-53) with 15 strikeouts on his cutter and .182 (4-for-22) with 7 strikeouts on his slider.
FIRST TIME THRU: Limiting batters to a .198 average (32-for-162) with 15 walks and 44 strikeouts the fi rst time through the lineup.
AHEAD IN THE COUNT : Holding batters to a .173 average (29-for-168) with 64 strikeouts when he is ahead in the count.
VS. LEFT AND RIGHT: Limiting lefties to a .206 average (46-for 223) with 62 strikeouts and righties to a .233 average (48 for-206) with 58 strikeouts.
- In his last 2 starts, is holding righties to a .167 average (3-for-18).
IT’S UNDER CONTROL: Has walked 2 or fewer batters in 7 of his last 8 starts.
LEAD OFF SUCCESS: When leading off an inning, holding batters to a .202 average (23-for114) with 31 strikeouts.
KEEP ‘EM CHASING : His 33.0 out-of-zone swing percentage is a career-high.
0-2 GOT YOU: Opponents are 11-for-55 (.200) with 28 strikeouts on an 0-2 count and are batting .154 (37-for-240) with 2 strikes.
RISP-Y BUSINESS : Holding runners in scoring position to a .178 average (13-for-73) with 19 strikeouts.
IL REPORT: Placed on the 15-day injured list (right calf inflammation) on June 27…reinstated on July 25.
COLORADO ROCKIES NOTES:
HOME BASE
- The Colorado Rockies return home tonight for six games in seven days against the Diamondbacks (Monday-Wednesday) and the White Sox (Friday-Sunday)
- The Rockies are coming off a 10-game road trip … took two of three in St. Louis, their first series win at Busch Stadium since 2009, before dropping two of three in Milwaukee and four-straight at Dodger Stadium… the Rockies have lost five in a row, their fourth losing streak of as many games or longer this season.
- Colorado has gone 11-16 since the All-Star Break, winning three series, dropping five and splitting one.
- Of the Rockies 11 opponents remaining on the schedule, eight have records above .500 … the only teams at .500 or below are Arizona (59-59), Chicago-AL (47-72) and San Diego (56-62).
WEST IS BEST
- The Rockies enter this set 1-6 against the Diamondbacks this season and 7-25 against the NL West … a .219 winning percentage against the West stands as the lowest in franchise history, trailing the 1997 Rockies (13-23, .361).
- The Rockies’ have lost four in a row against Arizona after a four-game sweep at Chase Field in late May … a loss tonight would give Colorado its longest losing streak to the D-Backs since 2019.
STEP RIGHT UP
- With LHP Justin Bruihl making his Rockies debut on Friday, the Rockies have used 32 total pitchers this season, the most in franchise history, one more than the 2019 club’s 31 hurlers … the Rockies have also tied the franchise record by using 15 different starting pitchers this season, tied with the 1993 and 2014 clubs
for the most starters used in franchise history. - The Rockies have used 53 total players, tied for the seventh-most in the Majors … the most players used for the club since setting a franchise record with 55 players in 2011.
GOLDEN
- Ryan McMahon’s 16 defensive runs saved lead all third basemen and are tied for the third-most in the Majors … shortstop Ezequiel Tovar’s eighth DRS are tied for fifth among all shortstops.
- Tovar holds a .986 fielding percentage, currently the second-best fielding percentage by a rookie shortstop in Major League history (min. 100 games) trailing Troy Tulowitzki (.987, 2007) (via. STATS PERFORM).
- Rookie center fielder Brenton Doyle’s 10 defensive runs saved on the season are tied for the third-most among all center fielders while his 95.6 MPH average arm strength ranks fifth among all outfielders.
- Doyle’s active 79-game errorless streak is the second-longest by a rookie in Rockies history behind Matt Reynold’s 94 games from 2010-11 … Doyle’s streak is the fourth-longest errorless streak among all Major League rookies in 2023 and the third-longest active stretch among all NL position players.
- Rookie outfielder Nolan Jones has totaled four DRS in the outfield while starting 30 games in right field and16 in left field … his average arm strength of 98.3 MPH is the best among all position players.
- Doyle and Jones each have seven outfield assists, tied for the seventh-most in the NL and the most among NL rookies … tied with Cory Sullivan (2005) for the second-most by a rookie in franchise history, trailing Brad Hawpe (10 in 2005) … outside of these four players, no other Rockie has recorded more than five outfield
assists in their rookie season with the club.
NEW BLOOD
- Ezequiel Tovar led off Saturday night’s game with a home run on the first pitch at Dodger Stadium, joining Connor Joe (April 25, 2022 at Philadelphia), Dexter Fowler (April 8, 2009 at Arizona) and Eric Young Sr. (April 30, 1996 at Los Angeles-NL) as the only players in franchise history to hit a home run on the first pitch of the game.
- Tovar’s home run was his 12th of the season, moving him into a tie for the ninth-most by a rookie in franchise history … his 52 RBI are also tied for the ninth-most by a rookie in franchise history with Nolan Arenado, one shy of tying Juan Uribe (53, 2001), two shy of tying Jordan Pacheco (54, 2012) and five from tying Matt Holliday (57, 2004) … his 105 hits are the 11th-most by a rookie immediately trailing Wilin Rosario (107 hits, 2012)
- Rookie Nolan Jones has hit 11 home runs, and along with Tovar are the third pair of rookies in franchise history to each hit at least 10 home runs in a season, joining Luis Gonzalez/Matt Holliday (2004) and Garrett Atkins/Clint Barmes (2005).
KEEP AN EYE
- The Rockies placed five Minor League players in the recently updated MLB Pipeline Top 100 prospects: SS Adael Amador (#21), OF Yanquiel Fernandez (#53), RHP Chase Dollander (#63), OF Jordan Beck (#88) and OF Zac Veen (#99).
ROCKIES STARTING PITCHER – #32 CHRIS FLEXEN RHP
WELCOME TO COLORADO
- After signing a Minor League contract with the Rockies on July 13, Chris Flexen makes his fourth start as a member of the Rockies.
- Selected by the Mets in the 14th round of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft out of Memorial HS (Newark, Calif.) … was committed to play for Arizona State University but chose to sign with New York-NL.
- Released by New York-NL on Dec. 11, 2019 before signing with the Seattle Mariners on Dec. 18, 2020.
- DFA’d by Seattle and traded back to the Mets on July 3 with Trevor Gott for Zach Muckenheim … released by New York-NL on July 6.
LAST TIME OUT
- Did not factor into the Rockies 7-6 loss last Wednesday in Milwaukee, allowing five runs on eight hits over five innings in an eventual Rockies 7-6 loss in 10 innings.
- His 106 pitches thrown were the most since throwing 108 on Aug. 6, 2022 and the fourth-most in his Major League career.
BACK IN THE WIN COLUMN
- Earned his first win of the season Aug. 4 at St. Louis after allowing three runs on 10 hits over five innings while walking none with two strikeouts.
- The victory was his first as a starter since July 25, 2022 while with Seattle where he defeated the Astros in Houston after allowing two runs over six innings.
- The outing marked the fifth time in his career he pitched five or more innings without issuing a walk.
sssssssssSNAKES
- Has appeared in three games in his career against the D-Backs (all starts), going 1-1 with a 5.29 ERA (17.0 IP, 10 ER), striking out 13 and walking eight.
- Last faced Arizona on Sept. 11, 2021 with the Mariners, taking the loss after allowing five runs in five innings.
2023 B.C. (BEFORE COLORADO)
- Pitched in 17 games (four starts) for the Mariners in 2023 prior to being designated for assignment … went 0-4 with a 7.71 ERA (42.0 IP, 36 ER), 19 walks and 29 strikeouts.
- Went 0-4 in four starts with Seattle, all from April 5-23 … posted a 10.38 ERA over 17.1 innings pitched with 20 earned runs.
- Last start with Seattle came on April 23 against St. Louis … tossed four innings and allowed six runs on nine hits, two home runs, with three walks and three strikeouts.
- Moved to the bullpen after his start on April 23 … posted a 5.84 ERA (24.2 IP, 16 ER) as a reliever.
ALTITUDE
- Has made three career appearances at Coors Field, including his start as a member of the home team on July 29 … has allowed 11 runs (10 earned) on 12 hits with seven walks, one hit batter and six strikeouts.
- Prior to joining the Rockies, made one start at Coors Field on Aug. 2, 2017 and one relief appearance on June 21, 2018.
FEELIN 22
- Last season, went 8-9 with two saves and a 3.73 ERA over 137.2 innings in 33 games (22 starts) … limited opponents to a .250 average (132-for-529), walked 51 and struck out 95.
- Went 7-9 with a 4.02 ERA (121.0 IP, 54 ER) in his 22 starts.
- Went 3-0 with 1.95 ERA (27.2 IP, 6 ER) in five starts in July … limited opponents to a .204 (21-for-103) average, while walking 12 and striking out 18 …among AL pitchers in July, ranked 5th in ERA (min. 27.0 IP).
