Right-handers Michael Soroka of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Rhett Lowder of the Cincinnati Reds will face off again when their teams meet in the second game of a weekend series Saturday night in Phoenix.
Soroka and Lowder had matching strong outings when they opposed each other on June 13 in Cincinnati, although neither received a decision in the Reds’ 2-1 victory decided by Noelvi Marte’s solo home run in the eighth inning.
Soroka (8-3, 2.93 ERA) made arguably his best start of the season that day, when he gave up one run on two hits in seven innings. He struck out seven without a walk.
Lowder (4-8, 5.17) gave up one run in 5 2/3 innings in that first meeting. His performances have improved of late, with Lowder recording a 1-1 record and a 3.72 ERA in a five-game stretch that includes quality starts against the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Athletics.
“You make them uncomfortable early (in the count), and then you can kind of be free and not worry if you do miss,” said Lowder, describing his touch-and-feel approach with a four-pitch mix that includes two fastballs, a slider and a changeup.
The Diamondbacks enter after a cleansing 9-0 win on Friday, when Jordan Lawlar hit a two-run homer and had career highs with three hits and three RBIs. Lawlar played his fourth game since returning from a two-month stay on the injured list with a right hamstring injury.
It was the second win in five games in what has been a difficult week for the Diamondbacks, who had to review the issues involving second baseman Ketel Marte’s failure to show up at Fenway Park in Boston on Monday and his subsequent placement on the injured list on Thursday.
“I thought it was a pretty big statement,” Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said of the shutout of the Reds. “We’ve been dealing with a lot. That’s what we do. It’s part of our culture. It’s about adjusting, adapting and going out and performing as a team.”
The Diamondbacks (68-61) remained one game back of the San Diego Padres (69-60) for the third wild-card spot in the National League. Both are chasing the Philadelphia Phillies (71-58) for the second NL wild card.
Lawlar was 0-for-10 with five strikeouts while starting all three games in Boston.
“We’re ball players. Any time we show up on the field, we know our job and we love playing the game,” Lawlar said. “So that’s the number one focus, and you kind of just drown out everything else that has happened outside the field.”
Soroka has given up two runs in his two starts since returning from a two-month stint on the injured list (glute). Those two runs came in 5 2/3 innings in his most recent start, a no-decision in Arizona’s 5-3 loss to the Atlanta Braves on Sunday.
Soroka is 1-2 with a 3.12 ERA against the Reds in six career appearances (five starts).
Lowder has faced the Diamondbacks just once — the June 13 match against Soroka.
The Reds were shut out for the 13th time Friday and lost left fielder Michael Toglia with a dislocated right shoulder. He suffered the injury when he made a diving catch in the first inning.
–Field Level Media
