Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Suffers tough loss in key game
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Thompson (7-4) was the losing pitcher in Saturday's game against the Dodgers, allowing two runs on three hits while striking out one over one inning.
Thompson entered with one out and a runner on and got the Diamondbacks out of the eighth inning unscathed, but trouble followed him in the ninth. He was removed after a pair of singles and a sacrifice bunt, then watched Justin Martinez let his two runners score. Thompson has largely been a dependable bullpen arm but is showing cracks this month. The submarining right-hander has a 6.17 ERA and a .327 batting-average against over 11.2 innings in August.
Thompson (6-3) picked up a blown save and the win in Monday's 7-6 extra-inning win over the Guardians. He allowed one run on one hit and struck out one over one inning.
This was Thompson's third save opportunity since Paul Sewald was removed from the closer's role last week, and it's been a mixed bag. He converted one Friday and was bailed out by A.J. Puk on Sunday before Monday's result. Justin Martinez eventually converted the save in the 10th inning. Thompson has allowed a run in all three save chances.
Thompson allowed one run on two hits in one inning Friday, recording the save in a 9-8 win over Pittsburgh.
Thompson was given the first save opportunity after manager Torey Lovullo announced earlier in the day that Paul Sewald was being removed from the closer job. It was the second straight save converted by Thompson, who closed out Wednesday's win when Sewald couldn't. Lovullo could also use Kevin Ginkel or A.J. Puk in save situations, but those two pitched earlier in the game Friday, combining to give up four runs in the sixth inning.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Notches first save
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Thompson earned a save against Washington on Wednesday, issuing a walk and striking out a batter over a scoreless two-thirds of an inning.
Paul Sewald got a chance at a save with Arizona up three runs entering the ninth frame, but he retired only one batter while walking three and allowing a double. Thompson then came in to put out the fire and did so successfully despite allowing an inherited runner to score on a passed ball and issuing an intentional walk. After the game, Arizona manager Torey Lovullo was non-committal about Sewald remaining the team's closer, but that doesn't necessarily mean that Thompson would get the next crack at the role if a change is made. The right-hander has been very successful in a setup role this season with a 1.81 ERA, 19 holds and 32:5 K:BB, yet Kevin Ginkel and A.J. Puk -- both of whom pitched before the ninth frame Wednesday -- have more closing experience and would be more likely candidates to step in as closer, temporarily or otherwise, if Sewald is moved out of the role.
Thompson (3-3) allowed three runs on three hits and one walk while striking out one over 1.1 innings, picking up the loss to Oakland on Friday.
Thompson got the final out of the seventh inning of a tie game and was the pitcher of record when the Diamondbacks took the lead. Usually, that means game over -- Thompson holds the lead then Paul Sewald closes it -- but that was not the case Friday. Thompson, who had allowed just four runs over 32 innings and leads Arizona with 11 holds, was roughed up in the eighth. He told Steve Gilbert of MLB.com that he couldn't find the right adjustment to avoid throwing very hittable strikes.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Gets four outs, hold
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Thompson allowed two hits and struck out one over 1.1 scoreless innings to earn a hold in Saturday's 3-2 win over Miami.
Thompson earned his seventh hold of the season, retiring four batters before letting Joe Mantiply shepherd the one-run lead to closer Paul Sewald. This was fourth time in the last six outings that Thompson worked more than one frame, and the right-hander hasn't allowed an earned run over the last 13 innings.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Picks up first win
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Thompson (1-1) recorded Wednesday's win over Cincinnati, allowing one hit and striking out one over a scoreless eighth inning.
Thompson, who made an eighth consecutive scoreless appearance, has been the Diamondbacks' best reliever through the first month-and-a-half. The side-arming right-hander sports a 1.00 ERA with just two walks while striking out 13 over 18 innings. He leads the team with six holds.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Blows save in win
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Thompson allowed one hit and permitted two inherited runners to score over a scoreless third of an inning Thursday, getting charged with a blown save in a 5-4 win over the Reds.
Thompson was called on in a high-leverage spot in the bottom of the seventh inning and lost a battle with Spencer Steer, who fouled off a couple two-strike pitches before delivering a two-run single that knotted the game at 4-4. The blown save was the first of the season for Thompson, who has emerged as a trusted late-game arm for manager Torey Lovullo. The right-hander has a 1.20 ERA and 0.80 WHIP while striking out 11 over 15 innings, recording six holds in 15 appearances.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Takes loss Monday
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Thompson (0-1) was tagged with Monday's loss to the Cardinals, allowing one run on one hit while striking out one over one-plus innings.
Thompson executed a perfect 1-2-3 eighth inning before giving up a leadoff infield single to open the bottom of the ninth. He was replaced by Kyle Nelson for a lefty-on-lefty matchup, but the at-bat lasted one pitch -- Nolan Gorman tattooed a hanging slider for a walk-off, two-run home run. Thompson has pitched well thus far, posting a 1.86 ERA with four holds through 10 outings (eight scoreless). He'll continue to serve in a setup role for Kevin Ginkel for now, and eventually for Paul Sewald (oblique) when he's ready to return.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Makes fifth scoreless appearance
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Thompson allowed a hit and struck out one over 1.1 scoreless innings in Friday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to Atlanta.
Thompson made his fifth appearance and has yet to give up a run or walk. On a night when the bullpen blew a three-run lead -- including a blown save by fill-in closer Kevin Ginkel -- Thompson's performance stood out. Thompson worked the eighth and ninth innings in his previous appearances this season before entering Friday's game in the sixth.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Works eighth inning
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Thompson allowed one hit over a scoreless eighth inning in Sunday's 5-1 win over Colorado.
Thompson made his second appearance, both coming in the eighth inning as a leadup to presumptive closer Kevin Ginkel, who is the most logical fill-in for the injured Paul Sewald (oblique). Neither game developed into a save situation, but it offers a glimpse into how manager Torey Lovullo plans to deploy the backend of the bullpen without Sewald. The side-arming Thompson was a revelation for the Diamondbacks in 2023, and he logged nine appearances in the postseason.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Could get save chances
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Thompson moves up a spot in the bullpen following the news that closer Paul Sewald (oblique) will open the season on the injured list.
Arizona manager Torey Lovullo didn't immediately name any one reliever as a replacement closer, although he did tell Steve Gilbert of MLB.com that there is "a very logical choice." By that, Lovullo was referring to Kevin Ginkel, who is expected to serve as the primary closer while Sewald heals. Lovullo also said he is not going to "anoint anybody to close right now," leaving the door open for others, like Thompson. He was an important late-inning, setup reliever after being traded to the Diamondbacks during the stretch drive in 2023. Thompson recorded a 0.69 ERA over 13 innings in the regular season and was a featured high-leverage option during the postseason. The right-hander continued his fine work this spring, allowing one unearned run over seven innings.
