The Diamondbacks faced the Rockies in a rubber game in Denver, with the Arizona offence struggling to convert opportunities. They went 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position. The Rockies fared only slightly better, going 4-for-13, but it was enough to secure a 4-2 victory.
Vargas Gets Leadoff Chance
Ildemaro Vargas was promoted to the top of the order. This marks the fourth time this year he has been in the leadoff spot. Previously, he’s hit 6-for-17 in that position, with five of those hits going for extra bases.
However, Vargas’s patience at the plate is a concern. He sees just 3.35 pitches per plate appearance, below the league average of 3.87. Of 171 qualified hitters, Vargas ranks 168th in pitches per plate appearance. Former D-back Josh Naylor is just behind him at 3.28.
Vargas’s low walk-rate reflects this lack of patience. His walk-rate is also 168th, with only five walks in 151 plate appearances. That 3.2% walk-rate is currently the lowest in franchise history by a qualified hitter, below Ketel Marte’s 3.6% in the 2020 season. The lowest over a full season is 4.0%, belonging to Shea Hillenbrand in 2004.
Gurriel’s Power Outage
Lourdes Gurriel’s walk-rate is up to 10.1% this year, with eight walks over 79 PA. This would far and away beat his previous highest of his career – only 6.3%. But his power has almost entirely evaporated.
Gurriel has gone 26 games and 94 at-bats since his last home-run, tied for his longest drought as a Diamondback. He has consistently been a “WW”. He had walk-rates of 5.2%, 5.6% and 5.7% since joining Arizona.
A home run today would have been a welcome event.