Bad times have been afoot for the Arizona Diamondbacks as of late, unless you happen to be named Wade Miley. The team's current ace pitcher was selected to play in next week's All-Star Game yesterday, the latest achievement in what's shaping up to be a dream season for the 25-year-old southpaw.
If only he could've been in the lineup for last night's game against the San Diego Padres at Chase Field, as poor pitching by scheduled D-Backs starter Trevor Cahill (6-7, 3.63 ERA) helped cause a 6-2 loss to the Friars.
A crushing defeat by a struggling team like San Diego isn't exactly how Arizona wanted to start off its seven-game homestand, but that's exactly what transpired. Cahill gave up four runs off seven hits while walking three and only striking out a trio of Padres. Oh, and he also beaned a player and earned a throwing error to boot.
So it isn't surprising that the young pitcher was visibly flustered as he couldn't give his signature sinker enough mojo during six troubled innings on the mound. Of the 102 pitches that Cahill threw, only 59 resulted in strikes.
The sixth frame proved to be particularly frustrating for both Cahill and the Diamondbacks as San Diego blew things open and extended their one-run lead to a 4-0 score.
With one out recorded, Cahill faced Cameron Maybin and wound up tossing the San Diego slugger a 3-1 sinker, which was transformed into a monster home run. Per the stats nerds at Major League Baseball, the soaring solo jack measured 485 feet and is the farthest a baseball has traveled this season.
He followed up his flub with another, allowing Everth Cabrera to reach first on a throwing error to Paul Goldschmidt. The pitcher's hat-trick of fail was completed two batters later when he beaned Will Venable with a 78 m.p.h. changeup. Needless to say, Cahill hit the showers shortly thereafter.
Here's hoping rookie pitching phenom Trevor Bauer will fare better than his Cahill during his debut for the Diamondbacks later tonight. Arizona will attempt to draw even in their three-game series with San Diego, who will send Andrew Cashner (3-3, 3.63) to the hill. First pitch is at 6:40 p.m. TV: Fox Sports Arizona. Radio: KTAR 620 AM. More info: www.dbacks.com.
