The Arizona Diamondbacks managed to pull off a 7-5 victory against the San Diego Padres in a thrilling 10-inning game on Saturday night, despite missing their All-Star second baseman Ketel Marte. This win gives them a chance to secure a second consecutive road series win against a National League West rival on Sunday afternoon.
Marte was sidelined with lower back tightness, leaving the Diamondbacks without one of their key players. Manager Torey Lovullo expressed the need to be more cautious with Marte’s playing time moving forward, as the second baseman has been a crucial contributor to the team with a batting average of .284, 17 home runs, and 51 RBIs.
The Diamondbacks have been facing challenges with their starting rotation, as they have struggled to get more than 4 2/3 innings from a starter on their current road trip. They are hoping that right-hander Ryne Nelson, who has a 5-6 record and a 5.42 ERA, can provide them with the length they need in Sunday’s game against the Padres.
Nelson had a strong outing against the Los Angeles Dodgers earlier in the week, allowing just one run in five innings. However, he will face a tough challenge against the Padres and their right-hander Dylan Cease, who has shown inconsistency in his recent performances.
Cease, with a 7-7 record and a 4.24 ERA, will be looking to bounce back from a rough outing against the Texas Rangers where he gave up six runs in 3 2/3 innings. Despite a strong performance against the Diamondbacks earlier in the season, Cease has struggled in his last few starts.
The Padres, who are missing key starters like Joe Musgrove and Yu Darvish, will be relying on Cease to step up and deliver a strong performance on the mound. Darvish, dealing with a personal matter involving his family, will be taking some time away from the team to address his issues.
As the Diamondbacks and Padres face off in what promises to be an exciting game, both teams will be looking to secure a crucial win in their quest for a successful season. With key players missing and pitching rotations under pressure, Sunday’s game is sure to be a test of resilience and determination for both teams.
