Latest news with #ToreyLovullo
San Francisco Chronicle
20 hours ago
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
D-backs manager Torey Lovullo turns to his 92-year-old mom for advice amid team's slump
PHOENIX (AP) — With his Arizona Diamondbacks mired in an early-season funk, manager Torey Lovullo knows where to go for advice on how to get things turned around. His mother, 92-year-old Grace Lovullo. 'She said throw out the analytics and trust your gut,' Lovullo said, grinning. 'I said 'Yeah, I like that. I've been a gut manager my whole life.'' A season of sky-high expectations is off to a slow start for the D-backs, who have lost seven of eight heading into Friday night's game against the Washington Nationals. The skid has dropped Arizona to 27-29 despite the highest projected payroll in team history. The stretch of bad baseball has flummoxed Lovullo, the ninth-year skipper who is the franchise's career wins leader and led the team to the World Series less than two years ago. 'I'm looking for performance, I'm looking for guys to step up at the most critical time and get the job done,' Lovullo said. 'I'm looking for winning players to provide us winning moments. We can do it, but we've got to link up.' There's more than one reason the D-backs are struggling but one problem — the bullpen — has caused the most heartburn. Arizona's relievers have blown multiple big leads and their combined 5.49 ERA is among the worst in the big leagues. The latest implosion came earlier this week, when the D-backs built a 6-0 lead against the Pittsburgh Pirates before giving up seven runs in the eighth inning and losing 9-6. Bullpen mainstays over the past few years — like hard throwing right-hander Kevin Ginkel — have been demoted to Triple-A as Lovullo tries to find a group that can close games consistently. Veteran righty Jeff Brigham was brought up to take Ginkel's spot on the roster Friday. Lovullo has also been critical of his team's defense. Arizona's 29 errors rank in the middle of the MLB pack, but things that don't necessarily show up in the box score like missed cutoffs or bad reads on fly balls have been common — particularly late in games. It's one reason they're 8-11 in one-run games and 2-4 in extra innings. 'We're not getting the job done defensively late in the game,' Lovullo said. 'For me, that's got to improve.' There are reasons to believe that things could turn around. Outfielder Corbin Carroll, second baseman Ketel Marte and shortstop Geraldo Perdomo lead a lineup that's been one of the most productive in the big leagues. Perdomo has been one of the league's biggest surprises, particularly at the plate. The 25-year-old has already tied a career-high with six homers and is second on the team with 39 RBIs. Lovullo moved the shortstop into the No. 3 spot in the lineup for the first time this season on Friday. Ace right-hander Corbin Burnes — who signed a $210 million, six-year deal in the offseason — has a 2.72 ERA while Merrill Kelly, Brandon Pfaadt and Ryne Nelson have also been solid. 'This team is very, very capable of getting this thing turned around in a hurry,' Lovullo said. The entire NL West is also in a funk after a torrid start to the season, keeping the D-backs from falling too far behind. Arizona is fourth in the division, but just seven games off the lead behind the Dodgers, Padres and Giants. With four months of baseball left, players say there's no panic. 'When you have a 162-game season, you're not looking to have one of these stretches, but it seems like we've had one pretty much every single year and we've been able to bounce back,' designated hitter Pavin Smith said. 'Looking on years' past, knowing we've been able to get out of it, gives us confidence.' ___
20 hours ago
- Sport
D-backs manager Torey Lovullo turns to his 92-year-old mom for advice amid team's slump
PHOENIX -- With his Arizona Diamondbacks mired in an early-season funk, manager Torey Lovullo knows where to go for advice on how to get things turned around. His mother, 92-year-old Grace Lovullo. 'She said throw out the analytics and trust your gut,' Lovullo said, grinning. 'I said 'Yeah, I like that. I've been a gut manager my whole life.'' A season of sky-high expectations is off to a slow start for the D-backs, who have lost seven of eight heading into Friday night's game against the Washington Nationals. The skid has dropped Arizona to 27-29 despite the highest projected payroll in team history. The stretch of bad baseball has flummoxed Lovullo, the ninth-year skipper who is the franchise's career wins leader and led the team to the World Series less than two years ago. 'I'm looking for performance, I'm looking for guys to step up at the most critical time and get the job done,' Lovullo said. 'I'm looking for winning players to provide us winning moments. We can do it, but we've got to link up.' There's more than one reason the D-backs are struggling but one problem — the bullpen — has caused the most heartburn. Arizona's relievers have blown multiple big leads and their combined 5.49 ERA is among the worst in the big leagues. The latest implosion came earlier this week, when the D-backs built a 6-0 lead against the Pittsburgh Pirates before giving up seven runs in the eighth inning and losing 9-6. Bullpen mainstays over the past few years — like hard throwing right-hander Kevin Ginkel — have been demoted to Triple-A as Lovullo tries to find a group that can close games consistently. Veteran righty Jeff Brigham was brought up to take Ginkel's spot on the roster Friday. Lovullo has also been critical of his team's defense. Arizona's 29 errors rank in the middle of the MLB pack, but things that don't necessarily show up in the box score like missed cutoffs or bad reads on fly balls have been common — particularly late in games. It's one reason they're 8-11 in one-run games and 2-4 in extra innings. 'We're not getting the job done defensively late in the game,' Lovullo said. 'For me, that's got to improve.' There are reasons to believe that things could turn around. Outfielder Corbin Carroll, second baseman Ketel Marte and shortstop Geraldo Perdomo lead a lineup that's been one of the most productive in the big leagues. Perdomo has been one of the league's biggest surprises, particularly at the plate. The 25-year-old has already tied a career-high with six homers and is second on the team with 39 RBIs. Lovullo moved the shortstop into the No. 3 spot in the lineup for the first time this season on Friday. Ace right-hander Corbin Burnes — who signed a $210 million, six-year deal in the offseason — has a 2.72 ERA while Merrill Kelly, Brandon Pfaadt and Ryne Nelson have also been solid. 'This team is very, very capable of getting this thing turned around in a hurry,' Lovullo said. The entire NL West is also in a funk after a torrid start to the season, keeping the D-backs from falling too far behind. Arizona is fourth in the division, but just seven games off the lead behind the Dodgers, Padres and Giants. With four months of baseball left, players say there's no panic. 'When you have a 162-game season, you're not looking to have one of these stretches, but it seems like we've had one pretty much every single year and we've been able to bounce back,' designated hitter Pavin Smith said. 'Looking on years' past, knowing we've been able to get out of it, gives us confidence.'
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
D-backs manager Torey Lovullo turns to his 92-year-old mom for advice amid team's slump
PHOENIX (AP) — With his Arizona Diamondbacks mired in an early-season funk, manager Torey Lovullo knows where to go for advice on how to get things turned around. His mother, 92-year-old Grace Lovullo. 'She said throw out the analytics and trust your gut,' Lovullo said, grinning. 'I said 'Yeah, I like that. I've been a gut manager my whole life.'' A season of sky-high expectations is off to a slow start for the D-backs, who have lost seven of eight heading into Friday night's game against the Washington Nationals. The skid has dropped Arizona to 27-29 despite the highest projected payroll in team history. The stretch of bad baseball has flummoxed Lovullo, the ninth-year skipper who is the franchise's career wins leader and led the team to the World Series less than two years ago. 'I'm looking for performance, I'm looking for guys to step up at the most critical time and get the job done,' Lovullo said. 'I'm looking for winning players to provide us winning moments. We can do it, but we've got to link up.' There's more than one reason the D-backs are struggling but one problem — the bullpen — has caused the most heartburn. Arizona's relievers have blown multiple big leads and their combined 5.49 ERA is among the worst in the big leagues. The latest implosion came earlier this week, when the D-backs built a 6-0 lead against the Pittsburgh Pirates before giving up seven runs in the eighth inning and losing 9-6. Bullpen mainstays over the past few years — like hard throwing right-hander Kevin Ginkel — have been demoted to Triple-A as Lovullo tries to find a group that can close games consistently. Veteran righty Jeff Brigham was brought up to take Ginkel's spot on the roster Friday. Lovullo has also been critical of his team's defense. Arizona's 29 errors rank in the middle of the MLB pack, but things that don't necessarily show up in the box score like missed cutoffs or bad reads on fly balls have been common — particularly late in games. It's one reason they're 8-11 in one-run games and 2-4 in extra innings. 'We're not getting the job done defensively late in the game,' Lovullo said. 'For me, that's got to improve.' There are reasons to believe that things could turn around. Outfielder Corbin Carroll, second baseman Ketel Marte and shortstop Geraldo Perdomo lead a lineup that's been one of the most productive in the big leagues. Perdomo has been one of the league's biggest surprises, particularly at the plate. The 25-year-old has already tied a career-high with six homers and is second on the team with 39 RBIs. Lovullo moved the shortstop into the No. 3 spot in the lineup for the first time this season on Friday. Ace right-hander Corbin Burnes — who signed a $210 million, six-year deal in the offseason — has a 2.72 ERA while Merrill Kelly, Brandon Pfaadt and Ryne Nelson have also been solid. 'This team is very, very capable of getting this thing turned around in a hurry,' Lovullo said. The entire NL West is also in a funk after a torrid start to the season, keeping the D-backs from falling too far behind. Arizona is fourth in the division, but just seven games off the lead behind the Dodgers, Padres and Giants. With four months of baseball left, players say there's no panic. 'When you have a 162-game season, you're not looking to have one of these stretches, but it seems like we've had one pretty much every single year and we've been able to bounce back,' designated hitter Pavin Smith said. 'Looking on years' past, knowing we've been able to get out of it, gives us confidence.' ___ AP MLB:
Winnipeg Free Press
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
D-backs manager Torey Lovullo turns to his 92-year-old mom for advice amid team's slump
PHOENIX (AP) — With his Arizona Diamondbacks mired in an early-season funk, manager Torey Lovullo knows where to go for advice on how to get things turned around. His mother, 92-year-old Grace Lovullo. 'She said throw out the analytics and trust your gut,' Lovullo said, grinning. 'I said 'Yeah, I like that. I've been a gut manager my whole life.'' A season of sky-high expectations is off to a slow start for the D-backs, who have lost seven of eight heading into Friday night's game against the Washington Nationals. The skid has dropped Arizona to 27-29 despite the highest projected payroll in team history. The stretch of bad baseball has flummoxed Lovullo, the ninth-year skipper who is the franchise's career wins leader and led the team to the World Series less than two years ago. 'I'm looking for performance, I'm looking for guys to step up at the most critical time and get the job done,' Lovullo said. 'I'm looking for winning players to provide us winning moments. We can do it, but we've got to link up.' There's more than one reason the D-backs are struggling but one problem — the bullpen — has caused the most heartburn. Arizona's relievers have blown multiple big leads and their combined 5.49 ERA is among the worst in the big leagues. The latest implosion came earlier this week, when the D-backs built a 6-0 lead against the Pittsburgh Pirates before giving up seven runs in the eighth inning and losing 9-6. Bullpen mainstays over the past few years — like hard throwing right-hander Kevin Ginkel — have been demoted to Triple-A as Lovullo tries to find a group that can close games consistently. Veteran righty Jeff Brigham was brought up to take Ginkel's spot on the roster Friday. Lovullo has also been critical of his team's defense. Arizona's 29 errors rank in the middle of the MLB pack, but things that don't necessarily show up in the box score like missed cutoffs or bad reads on fly balls have been common — particularly late in games. It's one reason they're 8-11 in one-run games and 2-4 in extra innings. 'We're not getting the job done defensively late in the game,' Lovullo said. 'For me, that's got to improve.' There are reasons to believe that things could turn around. Outfielder Corbin Carroll, second baseman Ketel Marte and shortstop Geraldo Perdomo lead a lineup that's been one of the most productive in the big leagues. Perdomo has been one of the league's biggest surprises, particularly at the plate. The 25-year-old has already tied a career-high with six homers and is second on the team with 39 RBIs. Lovullo moved the shortstop into the No. 3 spot in the lineup for the first time this season on Friday. Ace right-hander Corbin Burnes — who signed a $210 million, six-year deal in the offseason — has a 2.72 ERA while Merrill Kelly, Brandon Pfaadt and Ryne Nelson have also been solid. 'This team is very, very capable of getting this thing turned around in a hurry,' Lovullo said. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. The entire NL West is also in a funk after a torrid start to the season, keeping the D-backs from falling too far behind. Arizona is fourth in the division, but just seven games off the lead behind the Dodgers, Padres and Giants. With four months of baseball left, players say there's no panic. 'When you have a 162-game season, you're not looking to have one of these stretches, but it seems like we've had one pretty much every single year and we've been able to bounce back,' designated hitter Pavin Smith said. 'Looking on years' past, knowing we've been able to get out of it, gives us confidence.' ___ AP MLB:
Associated Press
20 hours ago
- General
- Associated Press
D-backs send top prospect Jordan Lawlar back to the minors after struggles at the plate
PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks have sent top prospect Jordan Lawlar back to the minors after he was hitless in 19 at-bats since he was called up May 13. The D-backs — who have lost seven of their past eight games — made the announcement Friday before the first game of a three-game series against the Washington Nationals. Struggling right-handed reliever Kevin Ginkel was also sent to Triple-A Reno. Arizona called up veteran infielder Ildemaro Vargas and right-hander Jeff Brigham to take their place on the roster. Lawlar earned the promotion to the big leagues earlier this month after a great start to the season in Reno, where he was batting .336 with six homers and 31 RBIs. But the success didn't translate at the plate and he was also shaky in the field. 'This will enable him to go down, play every day, make adjustments and get back here as soon as possible,' manager Torey Lovullo said. The D-backs also designated left-handed reliever Joe Mantiply for assignment. The 34-year-old was a 2022 All-Star and one of the team's main relievers for the past four seasons, but had a 15.83 ERA in 10 games this year. ___ AP MLB:
