SAN FRANCISCO – Occasionally, Arizona Diamiondbacks players looked at the Oracle Park slate and the history they saw was familiar and bleak.
The Diamondbacks made history dubiously by setting a new MLB record for the modern era (since 1900) by reaching 23 consecutive road losses after being beaten 10-3 by the San Francisco Giants.
“It’s not something we’re proud of,” manager Torey Lovullo said. “It has already been a long time. It is something that weighs ”.
Some discouraged D-backs left the field and calmly walked to the visiting locker room after the last out, with which they broke the tie they had with the 1963 New York Mets and the 1943 Philadelphia Athletics, which had 22 losses in those years.
Limited to just one hit in six innings, a hit by pitcher Zac Gallen, Arizona went down 6-0 on the scoreboard. The Diamondbacks felt unable to end the streak that began two months ago.
“Obviously the mood is not good,” Gallen said. “The players are definitely not satisfied with the way we are playing. I don’t know if someone with the right mindset would be. “
The major league record seemed inevitable after Tuesday’s collapse, in which Arizona blew a 7-0 lead to fall 9-8 to the Giants. Lovullo’s ninth has 14 losses in a row and 28 in his last 30 games for the worst record (20-50) in the Big Top.
“I go to bed every night thinking about various things,” Lovullo revealed. “Sometimes I stay up until 3, 4 in the morning trying to put the pieces of this puzzle together in my own mind. It is a strong challenge ”.
The only consolation for the Diamondbacks after being swept in their four-game series is that their next road game is until June 25, in San Diego, exactly two months after their last road win, however, Arizona. They don’t have a road game scheduled against a team currently under .500 until July 27, in Texas.
Also, another thing that could be a comfort to the Diamonbacks is that they are not the only team that has a hard time away from home. The Baltimore Orioles had 19 road losses Thursday after falling to the same 10-3 scoreline at Cleveland.
Arizona’s last road win was April 25, in Atlanta, when Madison Bumgarner pitched a seven-inning no-hitter to sweep a doubleheader. At the time, the team was 9-8 away from Chase Field.
Since then, the Diamondbacks have been swept in their road series against the Marlins, Mets, Dodgers, Rockies, Brewers, Athletics and Giants and have been outscored 137-60 in those games. Last week, Lovullo fired hitting coach Darnell Coles and assistant hitting coach Eric Hinske.
The 1963 Mets and the 1943 Athletics were led by managers who were Hall of Famers, but were in the final stretch of their pilot stages. Casey Stangel turned 73 the day the Mets ended their streak, while Connie Mack was 80 during Philadelphia’s misstep.
“We have to find a way out and, before the next tour, win a game tomorrow (Friday),” Lovullo said. “That is my approach and it will be everyone’s, too.”
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