The Diamondbacks' struggle to capitalize on Michael Soroka's exceptional starts continues, as they squandered another one of his walk-free quality performances. Soroka, who has issued only 17 free passes in 81 innings, attributes his success to a consistent delivery and an expanded arsenal of pitches, giving him the confidence to challenge hitters in the zone.
In a 2-1 loss to the Reds, Soroka tied a season high with seven innings pitched, allowing one run on two hits with seven strikeouts over 93 pitches. His four quality starts since the beginning of May are tied for fourth most in MLB. Despite Soroka's impressive performance, the Diamondbacks' inability to score runs has been a persistent issue, with them scoring nine runs combined in Soroka's five losses and two or fewer runs in seven of his starts.
Soroka's success is notable, as he leads the D-backs with eight wins, tied for the most among National League starters. However, the team's struggles in front of him have been a hindrance, with them stranding 12 runners and going 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position on Saturday. Manager Torey Lovullo acknowledged the team's frustration, stating that they are 'grinding' and need to create an awareness of what they need to improve on.
The Diamondbacks' inability to capitalize on Soroka's starts has been a recurring theme, with them missing a few big scoring chances against the Reds' bullpen. Noelvi Marte's go-ahead solo home run in the top of the eighth was the only bright spot for the team, as they struggled to score runs in other opportunities. Despite the loss, Soroka's performance was a bright spot for the team, as he continues to show his potential as a top pitcher in the MLB.
In conclusion, the Diamondbacks' struggle to score runs in front of Soroka has been a hindrance to his success, but his consistent performance and expanded arsenal of pitches give him the potential to be a top pitcher in the league. The team will need to improve their offensive performance if they want to capitalize on Soroka's starts and achieve success in the long run.
