With refined focus, Davies delivers for D-backs in solid start

Baseball
Published 02.09.2023
With refined focus, Davies delivers for D-backs in solid start
Zach Davies delivers six robust innings in D-backs win

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5:55 AM UTC

PHOENIX — When he’s at his greatest, Zach Davies appears like he did Friday night time towards the Orioles.

His sinker dives down and in on righties, his cutter will get in on lefties. Then he expands the zone on the surface a part of the plate.

Davies will throw his changeup within the higher 70s to low 80s, slowing down hitters’ bats in order that when he cranks up his four-seam fastball in any respect of 89 mph, hitters are late with their swings. The frustration is obvious on their faces and of their physique language.

That’s the Davies that pitched the D-backs to a 4-2 win over the Orioles, and one they might actually use as they make their push for one of many NL Wild Card slots.

Games remaining: vs. BAL (2), vs. COL (3), at CHC (4), at NYM (4), vs. CHC (3), vs. SF (2), @NYY (3), @CWS (3), vs. HOU (3)

Standings replace: The D-backs are tied with the Giants for the third and ultimate NL Wild Card spot. The Giants maintain the tiebreaker with the D-backs proper now by advantage of their 6-5 file towards the D-backs, however the two groups have a pair of video games remaining this 12 months.

Davies allowed only one run on 4 hits over six innings of labor strolling one and hanging out six. The one run got here within the first and he gave up simply two hits in 5 shutout innings after that.

It was the second straight good outing for Davies since he was activated from the injured record the place he spent greater than a month nursing a decrease again damage.

In his final begin earlier than occurring the IL, Davies allowed 9 runs in 3 2/3 innings towards the Braves to boost his season ERA to 7.38. It was a low level for him, and he spent the time on the IL not solely getting his again wholesome, however adjusting his psychological method as properly.

“I think I fall into what a lot of pitchers do is overthrowing,” Davies mentioned. “Even though I don’t throw that hard, I still think that at times we all do it. So I kind of took a step back just concentrated on keeping the back healthy, but also kept the command on my pitches and you know, so far so good.”

Rather than give attention to how a lot motion he was getting on his pitches, Davies went again to easily specializing in ensuring he was hitting his spots.

Because he doesn’t have an overwhelming fastball, his outings are extra of a chess match. He prepares meticulously after which is aware of that he has to get his pitches the place they must be.

Seeing frustration in opposing hitters, who can’t imagine they only received beat by an 89 mph fastball is one thing that makes Davies smile.

“I take pride in that,” Davies mentioned. “I enjoy when I see that, too, because I know that all the stuff that I’ve done leading up to that game is exactly what I saw on video and I’ve executed it. Being able to get guys frustrated, command my pitches, jam guys and have guys not taking good swings, those are the types of things where I know that I’ve gotten to a good place in terms of mechanics, pitch location and just the overall homework and studying beforehand.”

When Davies hits his spots, opposing hitters discover themselves swinging at pitches simply off the plate.

“I just thought we expanded the zone too much on him,” Orioles supervisor Brandon Hyde mentioned. “Our approach tonight going in was outstanding, and then we didn’t really follow through in the game. We just didn’t take very many good at-bats.”

Davies, after all, had one thing to do with that.