Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo’s decision to pinch-hit for David Peralta in the sixth inning on Thursday night was a stunning reminder of the chaos wrought by a 60-game schedule.
Whatever the motivation — be it urgency or panic to win now — it was the first time Lovullo had hit for Peralta in that kind of spot in his three-plus years on the job.
It was also the latest example of how the Diamondbacks are attempting to feel their way through this strange and shortened season — assuming the sport can actually make it to the end, an outcome that feels less likely by the day.