LOS ANGELES – Right-hander Archie Bradley has been, by all accounts, the Diamondbacks’ best reliever. In 6 2/3 innings, he has yet to allow a run, with two walks and 10 strikeouts, and he has displayed arguably the most dominant talent of anyone in the bullpen, with a fastball in the mid-90s.
And yet, out of the three games in which he appeared, Bradley twice entered somewhat out of control scoring, once when the Diamondbacks were trailing by six points, the next time when they were trailing by five.
Shouldn’t the Diamondbacks try to get their best reliever into more games where they have a better chance of winning?
Asked Friday about Bradley’s usage, Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo initially said he plans to keep him in a long-term relief role because he is still exhausted from working primarily as a starter for spring training.
“It’s nice to have that luxury out of the bullpen, and not every bullpen has that,” Lovullo said. “We’re going to keep him in that mindset.”
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But Lovullo later seemed to acknowledge that he was perhaps considering a newer, more powerful role.
“We can change the round based on what he does,” Lovullo said. “We are very aware of what you are saying. We know he’s had some quality outings and we want that to continue. It will just be in whatever format possible to help us save a moment.
In the only outing he appeared in with the Diamondbacks leading, Bradley turned in a game-saving performance. He entered the game with two runs, no outs and the Diamondbacks leading by two runs in the seventh inning. Not only did he escape that jam without allowing a run to score, but he also worked a scoreless eighth inning before passing the baton to closer Fernando Rodney.
Sunday’s match
Diamondbacks at Dodgers
When: 1:10 p.m.
Or: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles.
Pitchers: Diamondbacks RHP Taijuan Walker (1-1, 4.91) vs. Dodgers LHP Rich Hill (1-0, 1.80).
Television/Radio: FSAZ/KMVP-FM (98.7), KHOV-FM (105.1).
Walker allowed three runs (two earned) in five-plus innings against the Giants on Monday, with all of the runs scoring on a play in the fourth inning in which Walker and catcher Jeff Mathis were charged with throwing errors. …Walker’s first start wasn’t mediocre either; he allowed four runs in six innings against the Giants at Chase Field. … He has faced the Dodgers only once in his career, in 2015, in an outing in which he allowed five runs in four innings at Dodger Stadium. … Hill allowed one run in five innings in his first start of the year, then missed his second with a blister problem. He is expected to be removed from the disabled list to begin Sunday. … Hill, whom the Dodgers acquired from Oakland at the trade deadline last year, re-signed in December for three years and $48 million. … He faced the Diamondbacks once last season, allowing four runs in 5 1/3 innings in a start at Chase Field.
Future
Monday: At Los Angeles, 7:10 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Robbie Ray (1-0, 2.19) vs. Dodgers RHP Brandon McCarthy (2-0, 1.50).
Tuesday: At San Diego, 7:10 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Shelby Miller (1-1, 5.06) vs. Padres RHP Jared Cosart (0-0, 3.86).
Wednesday: At San Diego, 7:10 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Zack Greinke (1-1, 4.32) vs. Padres RHP Zach Lee (1-0, 0.00).
