Current:Home > ScamsFacing elimination in World Series, D-backs need All-Star performance from Zac Gallen in Game 5 -前500条预览:
Facing elimination in World Series, D-backs need All-Star performance from Zac Gallen in Game 5
Indexbit Exchange View
Date:2025-04-09 09:25:53
PHOENIX (AP) — Zac Gallen hasn’t been the ace Arizona’s hoped for this postseason.
If the Diamondbacks right-hander can’t revert to his All-Star form in Game 5 of the World Series against the Texas Rangers on Wednesday night, there’s a good chance his team’s unexpected October run be over.
Arizona is facing elimination after a planned bullpen game went awry in Game 4, resulting in an 11-7 loss to the Texas Rangers on Tuesday night. The D-backs fell into a 10-run hole by the end of the third inning in a deflating performance and trail 3-1 in the best-of-seven series.
Gallen — who started for the National League in this year’s All-Star Game — has a 2-2 record and a 5.27 ERA in the postseason.
“He can’t just walk out there and get the job done because of his name,” D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said before Game 4. “It’s the time of year where everybody’s really, really good and really, really prepped.
“Just gotta be more efficient with his pitches, where they land and sequence them in the right way.”
The D-backs don’t just need Gallen to be good in Game 5 — they also need him to be efficient. Lovullo used six pitchers in Game 4.
Arizona did catch a break on Tuesday when right-hander Ryne Nelson did the thankless job of throwing 5 1/3 solid innings after the game was already out of hand. That meant three of the team’s usual high-leverage relievers — Ryan Thompson, Kevin Ginkel and Paul Sewald — didn’t have to pitch.
Gallen has been competitive in his five October starts, throwing at least five innings in all of them. But he’s also given up 13 earned runs over the past 16 innings while surrendering five homers.
The hope during this postseason was that Gallen and Kelly would make a formidable combo. So far, Gallen hasn’t been able to deliver his part.
The 28-year-old had a 17-9 record and 3.47 ERA during the regular season and is among the top candidates for the NL Cy Young Award, which will be announced in November. The Rangers will counter in Game 5 with right-hander Nathan Eovaldi.
Lovullo said Gallen’s postseason problems mostly stem from a lack of command, particularly with his secondary pitches. He gave up three runs on four hits and four walks over five innings in a Game 1 loss against the Rangers.
“We’ve got to remember that Zac spoils us,” Lovullo said. “He goes out there and goes five, six, seven innings every single time. And inside of that, he might give up two or three runs, but we’re so used to him giving up zero or one runs.”
Gallen has endured the largest workload of his career in 2023, throwing 237 1/3 innings in the regular season and postseason combined. Even so, he said Tuesday that he feels good, throwing a 35-pitch bullpen session on Monday as he keeps working on his craft.
One more chance remains to deliver a postseason gem.
The Diamondbacks need it in the worst way if they’re going to send this series back to Texas.
“Until the final bell rings, I’m going to keep plugging away and see what the deal is with my delivery,” Gallen said. “It might not be the greatest thing to be throwing as much as I am, but it’s what makes me feels prepared and eases me mentally.”
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
veryGood! (621)
Related
- Grammy nominee Teddy Swims on love, growth and embracing change
- Man found guilty but mentally ill in Indiana officer’s killing gets time served in officer’s death
- How are earthquakes measured? Get the details on magnitude scales and how today's event stacks up
- Hunting for your first home? Here are the best U.S. cities for first-time buyers.
- From family road trips to travel woes: Americans are navigating skyrocketing holiday costs
- Endangered North Atlantic right whale found dead off Virginia was killed in collision with ship, NOAA says
- Part of a crane falls on Fort Lauderdale bridge, killing 1 person and injuring 3 others
- Small Illinois village preps for second total eclipse in 7 years
- Why Sean "Diddy" Combs Is Being Given a Laptop in Jail Amid Witness Intimidation Fears
- Does Amazon's cashless Just Walk Out technology rely on 1,000 workers in India?
Ranking
- Intellectuals vs. The Internet
- Fact-checking 'Scoop': The true story behind Prince Andrew's disastrous BBC interview
- Christian Combs, Diddy's son, accused of sexual assault in new lawsuit: Reports
- Earthquake maps show where seismic activity shook the Northeast today
- EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
- Panthers sign Pro Bowl DT Derrick Brown to four-year, $96 million contract extension
- RFK Jr. campaign disavows its email calling Jan. 6 defendants activists
- Buy groceries at Walmart recently? You may be eligible for a class action settlement payment
Recommendation
2 killed, 3 injured in shooting at makeshift club in Houston
East Coast earthquakes aren’t common, but they are felt by millions. Here’s what to know
Foul play suspected in the disappearance of two Kansas women whose vehicle was found in Oklahoma
Oatzempic craze: Should you try the oat drink for weight loss? Experts weigh in.
Federal appeals court upholds $14.25 million fine against Exxon for pollution in Texas
Pauly Shore and The Comedy Store sued for assault and battery by comedian Eliot Preschutti
Mississippi state budget is expected to shrink slightly in the coming year
This week on Sunday Morning (April 7)