Armed with a sharp breaking ball, Michael Soroka flashed vintage command and resilience, offering a vital rotation boost as the Arizona Diamondbacks battle for postseason positioning down the stretch.
Michael Soroka delivered an encouraging performance Tuesday night at Chase Field, even though the Arizona Diamondbacks suffered a 4-2 extra-innings loss to the Miami Marlins.
The right-hander looked much closer to the pitcher he had been before two Injured List stints interrupted his season.
Arizona needed another victory after Corbin Carroll’s dramatic walk-off home run Monday night. The Philadelphia Phillies and San Diego Padres both lost Tuesday, presenting the Diamondbacks with an opportunity to gain ground in the postseason race.
Soroka’s solid effort
Soroka gave them a chance to capitalize. His first appearance after returning from injury came in long relief against the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday. This time, he started in front of the Chase Field crowd.
The right-hander recently returned from right shoulder and arm inflammation, so the Diamondbacks continued limiting his workload. Manager Torey Lovullo allowed him to throw 80 pitches, including 53 strikes. Soroka’s planned target was between 75 and 80 pitches.
Despite the predetermined restriction, Soroka produced an extremely effective outing. He allowed one run on two hits (one home run) with six strikeouts and one walk in five innings.
The only run he surrendered came on an unfortunate solo home run by Marlins outfielder Griffin Conine in the fourth inning.
Soroka lowered his ERA to 3.45 in 104.1 innings this season.
His use of his trademark breaking ball, the slurve, represented the most encouraging part of the performance. It has been his most effective pitch this season and frequently the offering he relies upon most heavily.
That pattern continued against Miami. Soroka threw the slurve 25 times among his 80 pitches, accounting for 31% of his arsenal. He registered two called strikes with it and generated six swings and misses from 15 swings.
Soroka departed with the game tied 1-1 after providing a quality start in a matchup that approached must-win territory for Arizona. The Diamondbacks need similar performances throughout their pitching staff.
Soroka’s mindset
Soroka’s ability to adapt after physical setbacks is admirable. Returning from multiple absences requires patience, trust in the rehabilitation process and confidence when facing MLB hitters again.
He also understands how to pitch rather than depending exclusively on velocity. Soroka changes speeds, disrupts timing and uses movement to keep hitters from settling into comfortable at-bats.
His slurve gives him a pitch capable of creating awkward swings, but its effectiveness also depends on how he sequences it with the rest of his arsenal. That combination of movement and planning allows him to attack different areas of the strike zone.
Soroka showed composure while working under a limited pitch count. He remained aggressive, threw strikes and gave Arizona meaningful innings without allowing the restriction to alter his approach.
His experience, resilience and command can provide stability for a Diamondbacks staff that needs dependable performances while pursuing a postseason place.
