Finally something for Dbacks fans to shake their rattles about.
Highly anticipated right-handed pitcher, Trevor Bauer, made his major league debut throwing a total 74 pitches through just four innings. Despite all the hype, Bauer struggled to find the zone in the second half of his outing; he says he's been struggling with a strained groin.
The Dbacks came out ahead winning 2-3 against Atlanta thanks to a ninth inning homer from Chris Young. They are once again over .500 and narrowly avoided their second straight sweep at Turner Field.
For many Dbacks fans, tonight was the first opportunity to see Bauer's much-talked-about pre-game routine. As always - and as some may have witnessed during spring - Bauer rocketed the ball from foul post to foul post. He delivered (a few) damn impressive pitches and threw 42 total strikes. He's also the first player from the 2011 draft to reach the majors. It remains to be seen if he's ready to stay.
After just two innings, things turned south for the 21-year-old California native. A nagging groin injury caused Bauer's pitching to move from dynamic and electric to severely erratic. After walking Atlanta's centerfielder Michael Bourn, Bauer received a short visit to the mound from catcher Miguel Montero, pitching coach Charles Nagy and a trainer.
All said and done it took Bauer 30 pitches to end the third. He kept the Braves to one run, but walked two and hit second base man Dan Uggla in the fight. Dback's President Derrick Hall told MLB Network Radio he was concerned about Bauer's ability to control his pitch count and "protect the bullpen." He'll have to keep working on that front.
Atlanta's second - and final - run came in the fourth when Bourn hit a sacrifice fly to bring home shortstop Andrelton Simmons. That was the end of a short night for Bauer, leaving plenty of time to shine for rookie left-hander Patrick Corbin.
Corbin was successful in his first major league relief appearance. Atlanta went scoreless through the next three innings with Corbin allowing a single hit in 40 pitches. David Hernandez and J.J. Putz each came in to throw an inning and finish out the game.
The Dbacks responded to Atlanta with Jason Kubel's sixth inning double, which allowed Willie Bloomquist and Justin Upton to score. That makes a total of 26 RBIs for Kubel this month. Going into the game he was hitting. 329 and is already just one home run shy of his 2011 total: 12.
It wouldn't be until the ninth that Young would return Craig Kimbrel's fastball to the stands, giving Arizona their only win against Atlanta this series.
Also, Willie Bloomquist played at third base for the first time since 2010. He's spent most of the season at shortstop due to Stephen Drew's injury. With Drew back in action, Gibby opted to keep Bloomquist's reliable (.294) bat in the rotation, landing him at third.
Despite the groin problems, Bauer expects to be ready for his next start. The Dbacks head to Milwaukee next to face the 34-41 Brewers. They are 7-4 in their last 11 regular season games against Milwaukee. The first game at Milwaukee with pit Dbacks ace Ian Kennedy (5-7, 4.42) against left-handed pitcher Randy Wolf (2-5, 5.23).
First pitch on Friday at 5:10 p.m. TV: Fox Sports AZ Radio: KTAR 620
