After 244 days of long wait, D-backs fans were treated to a delightful performance from Eduardo Rodriguez as the pitcher stole the show in the second half of their double-header series against the Cleveland Guardians. Rodriguez played a huge role to lead the way in completing the series sweep with their 5-3 win in the second game.

The Diamondbacks needed some impressive pitching in their lineup heading into this game, fresh off a 7-3 win in the second game of their triple-game series. Arizona has not lost a single game in their matchup against the Guardians for this set as the team continued to ride an impressive pace in the season while climbing well behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West standings.

After missing out the first four months of the season due to a lat injury, it seems that Rodriguez is back in the mix with his impressive debut for Arizona, a game that proved to be quite a strong performance considering that he did have ample time to get back on track with the squad.

A Promising Show of Force

Rodriguez did not hold back in his debut with the D-backs after he allowed just three runs on four hits – doing it all in just 5 and ⅔ innings in the win against the Guardians. In the win, Rodriguez pulled off a variety of four-seam fastballs, changeups, cutters, sinkers, and sliders all in a day’s work.

This just shows how confident Rodriguez was when it comes to the post-effects of his injury. He did aggravate it during the rehab process, which further delayed his return to the field. So far, it was a promising game for the pitcher as he impressed fans with his wide array of pitching techniques that stunned the Guardians.

For his debut, Rodriguez came up with a pitch count of around 65 pitches to hit a promising mark. He tallied 26 fastballs (40%), 16 changeups (15%), 10 cutters (15%), eight sinkers (12%) and five sliders (8%). That is definitely a debut to remember, and it comes with a cherry on top as the victory against the Guardians – one of the best clubs in the league – sounds more sweet as he moves on to his next games.

Rodriguez in the Field

Rodriguez’s debut impressed a lot of his teammates in the win. They were pleased with the way he took over the field in his first game of the season with a flurry of impressive pitches that helped them knock the Guardians’ confidence out of the stadium.

“Catching was a little more nerve-wracking,” Adrian Del Castillo said. “Rodriguez has his own plan and he’s a veteran guy -- he knows what he’s good at. We were talking in the dugout and getting on the same page. He was spotting almost every pitch and tunneling them exactly where he wanted them.”

Even manager Torey Louvillo was left stunned with the high level of play from Rodriguez, and he definitely made sure to give the pitcher his deserved flowers at the end of the game.

“The fact he came in and made quality pitch after quality pitch on a day where you need some length. “It’s what I remember, it’s a very clean and easy delivery,” Lovullo said. “He knows right where it’s going. He takes it personally when it doesn’t go where he wants. He was so good. After the second inning, I took my eyes off of him.”