August 30, 2007
Inconsistent Offense
Nick Piecoro notes Arizona's offense simply hasn't delivered during their losing streak:
"You can't dwell on what happened the past three games," third baseman Mark Reynolds said. "We're going to forget about today and go out there and try to put some numbers on the board."
They couldn't do that on Wednesday night, going just 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position, making them just 2 for 20 in those situations in this series against the Padres. That alone is a sign that the Diamondbacks are struggling. In each of their long losing skids this season, they have failed badly to hit in scoring position. Their numbers in this 10-game slide: 12 for 75 (.160).
Arizona only scored 4.2 runs per game, 29th in the majors and 15th in the NL. Throw in bad luck with runners in scoring position, and you have a team with no offense. On top of that, facing Maddux right now, they weren't going to get any extra base runners:
The 41-year-old Maddux pitched seven strong innings, allowing one run and eight hits while striking out five. He got a no-decision after winning his previous three starts and four of five.
Maddux has gone 38 innings in his last six starts without walking a batter, and his overall streak is 42 innings. The last batter he walked was Astros starter Roy Oswalt in the second inning of a 3-1 loss at Houston on July 28. Maddux worked six innings that game.
The 3-1 win puts the Padres 0.001 points ahead of Arizona in winning percentage, tied with the Mets for the best record in the National League. Given their run differential, the Padres should be the top team in the league right now.
Sooner or later, run diff does tend to tell. Arizona had a great run of luck, but the carriage may be turning back into a pumpkin. Funny thing, though, in the parity league, all it takes is a few breaks and a lot of teams could make the postseason. So the D-backs could still wiggle their way into October. And who knows, the Mets and Padres could slide right out of the festivities.