The Arizona Diamondbacks lost two key players during Saturday’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies in Phoenix.
Starting pitcher Zac Gallen exited the contest in the fifth with what originally appeared to be a groin injury, but the right-hander told reporters after the game that he was just dealing with “general body cramps.” He left one inning after All-Star second baseman Ketel Marte departed with a left ankle contusion.
Gallen appeared to tweak something after he dodged Bryce Harper’s run-scoring groundout across the mound that cut Arizona’s lead to 2-1.
Diamondbacks trainers and manager Torey Lovullo came out to examine Gallen, who promptly exited without throwing a warmup pitch. Gallen left after allowing one run on five hits over 4 1/3 innings. He walked two and struck out three.
But following the game, Gallen said his premature departure was nothing to worry about.
“I tried to catch the comebacker that Harper hit,” Gallen said. “When I moved, (I) just cramped. … Nothing too serious.”
Gallen has gone 9-5 while posting a 3.69 ERA in 20 starts this year.
Marte was hurt while covering second base on Garrett Stubbs’ two-out double in the top of the fourth. Stubbs slid headfirst into the bag and rolled over Marte’s lower left leg as Marte applied a late tag.
Marte remained down for a few seconds as a trainer and Lovullo attended to him. Marte was in visible pain as he stood up and gingerly retreated to the dugout amid MVP chants from the Arizona crowd.
Kevin Newman took over for Marte, who is going to be just fine, too, according to Lovullo.
“I’ve been asked about the slide at second base that banged up Ketel — I really won’t talk about it,” Lovullo said. “I’m just grateful that Ketel’s gonna be OK, and he’s day-to-day.”
Lovullo anticipates Marte to be good to go in some capacity on Sunday.
Marte has hit .299 with 30 home runs and 81 RBIs in 113 games this season.
Despite losing both Gallen and Marte, the Diamondbacks had no trouble getting past Philadelphia, cruising to an 11-1 victory on Saturday. Arizona has taken two of the first three games of the four-game set with the Phillies.
–Field Level Media
