SAN DIEGO -- Monday night didn’t start out well for the Diamondbacks. But by the end of it, they were shaking hands and celebrating a 6-3 win over the Padres at Petco Park.
Before the game started, the Diamondbacks, who have been beset by injuries this year, scratched All-Star starter Ketel Marte from the lineup when the second baseman complained of right groin tightness. He is considered day to day.
Then the Diamondbacks announced that closer Shelby Miller was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right forearm strain. Miller was closing games for Arizona because its previous two closers, A.J. Puk and Justin Martinez, both underwent Tommy John surgery earlier this season.
All of that happened around an hour before the first pitch was thrown.
“It was a gut-check win,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. “Our guys went out there, despite some very tough circumstances, blocked it out and executed and won a baseball game against really a team and a tough venue. And that's what we do.
“That's why I'm so proud of the way they came out, responded. They didn't let that news affect them on Shelby and Marte’s scratch. That happened very late. It's easy to get distracted, but this team doesn't. They go out there and fight and hustle and play hard, and it was a great win.”
D-backs starting pitcher Zac Gallen set the tone by allowing just one unearned run over six innings while striking out nine.
Marte’s injury does not appear to be serious. Both Lovulo and Marte said after the game that he will likely be in the lineup Tuesday night.
Miller’s injury will take more time, as evidenced by the fact hat he was immediately placed on the IL and sent back to Phoenix, where he will undergo imaging to discover exactly what it is he is dealing with.
“We were all pretty, pretty bummed by the news that he's going to be put on the IL,” Lovullo said. “I mean, he's one of our guys on the very back end that's done a great job for us. So we're going to hope for good news and get him back out there as soon as possible. Right now, there's no timeline for his return.”
Miller, who was signed to a Minor League deal just after Spring Training opened, has been a huge bright spot for Arizona this year. He opened the year as a multi-inning reliever in the ’pen but quickly earned Lovullo’s trust and began to pitch in more high-leverage situations.
Then when Puk and Martinez went down, he became the closer and did a nice job in the role.
Miller’s absence throws a wrench into things for the Diamondbacks, both on the field and potentially off it.
Losing his presence at the back end of the bullpen means the team will have to rely on some of its young pitchers, such as Monday callup Juan Morillo, who has had issues with his command. The right-hander arrived in San Diego in the sixth inning and was thrust into a tight situation in the eighth. He walked the first two batters he faced before getting out of the frame.
Kevin Ginkel, who has had his own share of struggles this year, including a brief demotion to Triple-A, closed things out in the ninth and likely will be used in that role while Miller is out.
As for how Miller’s injury could impact the team off the field, the veteran is a very attractive trade chip for GM Mike Hazen should Arizona find itself sellers at the upcoming Trade Deadline.
Of course, the Diamondbacks hope to be buyers in a few weeks. In order to accomplish that, they’ll have to have more nights like Monday on the field and avoid more bad news off it.