Jorge Lopez doesn’t know what the final decision will be on him earning or not earning a rotation spot, but the groove he found in his start against the San Diego Padres left him unable to contain his smile.
Lopez allowed one run on five hits and didn’t walk a batter in 4 1/3 innings at the onset of what eventually became a 11-6 in front of an announced 7,148 at Surprise Stadium on Sunday afternoon. He also struck out five, all on swinging third strikes.
“When you get those swing and misses, you’re telling yourself just keep pounding the zone where you have to,” said Lopez, who gave up a solo home run in his final inning.