NL batting leader Moreno scratched from D-backs' finale
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SAN DIEGO -- As the Diamondbacks try to secure a postseason spot Sunday afternoon against the Padres, they will have to do it without catcher Gabriel Moreno, who was scratched from the lineup less than an hour before first pitch.
Moreno's hamstring felt "tender" during Friday night's series opener, according to manager Torey Lovullo, and he was removed from the game in the seventh inning.
The Diamondbacks did not believe the injury was severe and Moreno was in the lineup as the designated hitter Saturday night. As the game wore on, Lovullo said that Moreno's hamstring tightened on him and Moreno told the manager he could not take his ninth-inning at-bat.
There was still optimism that Moreno would play Sunday and he was in the original lineup before testing things out in the batting cage.
Moreno came into Sunday with a .311 batting average, which is the best in the NL, one point ahead of Philadelphia's Luis Arraez.
Arraez injured his ankle Thursday and is not expected to play again in the regular season. If he doesn't and Moreno doesn't have an at-bat Sunday, then Moreno will become the first catcher to win a batting title since Buster Posey hit .336 for the Giants in 2012.