Diamondbacks’ Ryne Nelson chased early in loss to Yankees.
PHOENIX — Arizona Diamondbacks starter Ryne Nelson did not get through three innings in his season debut Monday, a 5-2 loss against the New York Yankees at Chase Field.
It was a frustrating night for Nelson after an encouraging spring, a performance marred by a lack of command with his fastball and offspeed pitches. He threw 76 total and recorded eight outs.
“They weren’t really biting on the stuff I was trying to get them to chase,” Nelson said. “It’s tough when you’re working behind all the time and traffic is one base. Didn’t put myself in good spots.”
Nelson sidestepped self-imposed danger by stranding the bases loaded in the first inning after a pair of walks and 31 pitches, but the Yankees chased him with two outs in the third, leading 5-0.
Nelson exited having walked four hitters, as seemingly every at-bat lingered. Nelson averaged 4.5 pitches per at-bat even with five balls in play on the first pitch (4-for-4, sacrifice fly).
Felt a little out of rhythm, maybe a little amped up in the first and then just couldn’t really find a groove,” Nelson said.
Manager Torey Lovullo has seen his rotation once through and called it inconsistent.
The D-backs won their three games started by mainstays Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly and Brandon Pfaadt (16.2 IP, 3 ER) but lost their Tommy Henry and Nelson games (6.2 IP, 9 ER).
The D-backs’ complete rotation won’t be ready until later this month at the earliest when Jordan Montgomery is ramped up and Eduardo Rodriguez returns from the 15-day injured list (shoulder). Montgomery targeted April 19. Nelson and Henry competed for spots and both showed signs of optimism this spring, but there was a drop-off to start the season.
“We’re going to coach the guys up, that’s what we do,” Lovullo said. “I was in there talking about that right now before I came in here … That’s a coach’s responsibility. We’re not going to complain about it. We’re just going to coach them up and do the best we can because they are the five guys here, that’s what we got and we’re gonna make it work.”
