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PHOENIX — When the D-backs inked Eduardo Rodriguez to a four-year deal worth $80 million in December, it was easy to envision the southpaw bringing his steadying presence atop a rotation to a crucial game during a pennant chase in front of a packed house at Chase Field.
Rodriguez traced a wayward path to get there — being shut down to begin the year, progressing his throwing regiment in increments of feet during the summer and then finally debuting in August. He took the mound for Monday night’s series opener vs. the Giants and showcased the raw stuff that’s made him a rock-solid contributor for the past decade in the big leagues, but ultimately was hung with the loss in a 6-3 defeat.
With the loss, the D-backs fell to 3 1/2 games behind the Padres for the top National League Wild Card spot and slid to the third Wild Card position behind the Mets. They remain 1 1/2 games ahead of the Braves for the final playoff spot, with New York and Atlanta set to open a three-game set against one another Tuesday.
“He’s got great feel for the zone,” manager Torey Lovullo said of Rodriguez. “He just wasn’t making quality pitches as consistently as he normally does.”
Rodriguez tied his season high with 20 called strikes and racked up eight punchouts, his second-highest total across nine starts this year. Over his last three outings, he has compiled 26 strikeouts, his most over a three-outing span since July 29-Aug. 10, 2021, while with the Red Sox.
“I mean, I [would] take no strikeouts and go out there and give seven [scoreless] innings, so that’s what is most important right now,” Rodriguez said. “I know I gave up five runs and that’s where we ended up losing the game.”
Most starters make their ninth start of a season around Memorial Day, when there’s ample time to iron out mechanics, pitch refinement and sequencing for the stretch run ahead; with Rodriguez, the D-backs have no such luxury. His final start of the regular season is expected to come this weekend vs. the Padres in a game that could carry enormous implications as it pertains to the club returning to the playoffs for a second straight season.
“I think it was probably 7 to 10, maybe 12 pitches where he didn’t have a great feel,” Lovullo said, “and maybe that’s the one area that’s still coming.”
San Francisco’s offense delivered three homers — two over the fence and one off the fence with a spring-loaded bounce — and despite Rodriguez’s ability to generate swing-and-miss, the Giants muddied the scoreboard enough to put a beleaguered D-backs lineup on its heels.
Before the game, Lovullo spoke about second baseman Ketel Marte being in “a red zone” as it pertained to potential aggravation of a left ankle sprain that the All-Star has been playing through since returning off the injured list earlier this month. Combined with catcher Gabriel Moreno’s absence among the starting nine as a precaution following his exit from Sunday’s contest, the club’s trademark thump was inconspicuous against Giants rookie starter Hayden Birdsong.
The club still managed to collect a pair of doubles in the first inning, a mark that extended the D-backs’ historic success at hitting out of the chute. Entering the day, they were the first team to boast a .324 average or higher in the first frame as a group since the 2000 St. Louis Cardinals, and just the ninth team to have a mark at .320 or above since 1979.
Of the nine hard-hit balls the D-backs put in play (95+ mph or higher) over the course of the game, five went for outs.
“I think [our] hitters spoil us and they’re throwing up 15, 17 baserunners a game,” Lovullo said. “We got beat today, and you’re going to see us come out and get the worm to turn tomorrow.”
Offensive reinforcements are expected as soon as Tuesday — Marte, who pinch-hit in the eighth and stayed on at the keystone in the top of the ninth, is expected to rejoin the lineup and start each of the final five regular-season contests.
Moreno was in position to pinch-hit if the right situation arose, and Lovullo also believes he is on track to return to the starting nine Tuesday.
“Right now I think the guys are hungry. They’re excited.” Lovullo said. “And it’s go time.”