BOSTON -- A couple of first-inning errors proved to be too difficult for D-backs starter Patrick Corbin to overcome, as he allowed eight runs (four earned) in lasting just 1 2/3 innings Friday night in Arizona's 9-4 loss to the Red Sox at Fenway Park.
After the D-backs grabbed a 2-0 lead in the top of the first, it didn't take long for things to unravel.
Second baseman Jean Segura committed an error to start off the bottom of the first, and later in the frame, third baseman Jake Lamb made another error. All four of the Red Sox runs that inning were unearned as a result.
"Both Jake and Jean missing those balls were deadly tonight for Patrick," D-backs manager Chip Hale said.
The damage wasn't just in terms of the runs that scored in that inning, but the extra pitches Corbin had to throw as a result.
Had Segura made his play, Corbin would have gotten out of the first with no runs scoring and having thrown just 11 pitches. Instead, he threw 40.
"I felt pretty good there," Corbin said. "Going out there and throwing 40 pitches in the first is not ideal, and it's just tough to do that and be able to locate your stuff after that."
While the errors played a part, Corbin still had plenty of chances to pitch around them and get out of the inning.
"Now once we make the errors, that's when you want your pitcher to pick those guys up," Hale said.
Corbin allowed four earned runs in the second and had a runner on first with two outs when Hale took him out in favor of right-hander Zack Godley.
Godley, a starter by trade, was recently moved to the bullpen when Zack Greinke came off the disabled list.
Godley wound up sparing the Arizona bullpen from being overworked when he lasted 5 1/3 innings, allowing just one run on two hits.
"Godley did a great job stepping in there and picking me up and was able to save the bullpen tonight, which was huge," Corbin said.
Corbin (4-12) has not won a game since June 21, a span of nine starts.
Hale was noncommittal about whether Corbin would remain in the rotation, saying that he wanted to let that "marinate" overnight.
Should the D-backs decide to either send Corbin to the bullpen or Minors, Godley showed he would be a very capable replacement.
"Godley did a nice job, saved us giving all that length," Hale said. "He did a really good job using his cutter, sinker, curveball and change. Used all his pitches, so that was impressive. Obviously they were hitting the ball well. He came in and shut them down."