The High Cost of Winning

Going into the weekend series against the New York Mets, the Arizona Diamondbacks found themselves with a one-game lead over the San Francisco Giants. The Mets were coming off a series against the San Diego Padres where they lost two of three. This seemed to be a series the D-backs needed. If they could somehow win this series they should be able to hold serve against the Giants or possibly pad their lead in the National League Western Division.

Arizona had Ian Kennedy on the mound. Kennedy has been a bona fide ace this season and indications were that his dominance would continue in this start. Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson went with Xavier Nady at first against Dillon Gee. Nady came up in the second inning and was struck in the hand by a pitch forcing him out of the game.

That hit by pitch would end Nady’s season as he suffered a broken hand. The Diamondbacks were already down an important position player when shortstop Stephen Drew went down with a broken ankle two weeks ago. Arizona would surf the waiver wire and sign former Diamondbacks Lyle Overbay to replace Nady.

During Sunday’s game newly acquired starting pitcher Jason Marquis had a line drive from Angel Pagan hit his right leg. Marquis would stay in the game and finish the inning. During the first batter of the subsequent inning Marquis fell to the ground in obvious pain. He would leave the game and be diagnosed with a fractured fibula. Timeline for his return would be possibly in October if the Diamondbacks make the post season.

Arizona is now scrambling to find a fifth starter, something they have been looking for most of the season. While pitchers Zack Duke and Micah Owings would both be candidates to move back into the starting rotation, Gibson suggested he is happy with his bullpen meaning the Diamondbacks would bring in a new pitcher either from internal candidates or through a waiver wire deal.

All indications are that Wade Miley will be promoted from Reno. Miley completed a start on Saturday winning the game while going 3-4 at the plate to increase his batting average to .308 for the season. Hopefully he will find consistency in his pitching, something that has plagued him in the past in the minor leagues.

So while the Diamondbacks swept the series with the Mets they did so at a very high cost losing two players off the 25-man roster. With the team heading to the east coast on a very tough road trip against the Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves, and Washington Nationals the last thing they needed was to be short-handed another two players.