The desert is eating up Jordan Montgomery.
Montgomery said he feels “like a piece of crap” after being booed exiting the field following another horrendous start in the Diamondbacks’ 9-3 loss to the Giants on Wednesday.
After missing spring training in hopes of a long-term deal that never materialized, the ex-Yankee has a ghastly 6.80 ERA through nine starts.
“Yeah, you just feel like a piece of crap every day you show up,” Montgomery said. “Team, four-game winning streak and I feel like every time I go out there, we lose. Just got to keep trying to be better.
“There’s way more negatives than positives right now. it’s hard to see any positives right now.”
Montgomery’s stint with the Diamondbacks has been nothing short of a disaster thus far, with Arizona getting almost no return on its two-year pact worth up to $50 mllion.
The southpaw was one of Scott Boras’ long holdouts during spring training, waiting for a massive free-agent contract like the pacts Aaron Nola (seven years, $172 million) and Carlos Rodon (six years, $162 million) had signed over the last two free agencies. But an offer like that never came.
Montgomery instead settled for a one-year deal with an easily attained second year in what seemed like a strong deal for the Diamondbacks.
But missing spring training is seemingly affecting Montgomery — along with fellow holdout and Boras client Blake Snell — in a negative way.
Montgomery, after allowing six runs in two-plus innings, has now surrendered at least six runs in back-to-back starts and three of his last seven outings.
He owns an 8.37 ERA since two strong outings to start his season.
Wednesday’s debacle included Montgomery allowing seven straight batters to reach to start the third inning via four singles, two homers and a walk.
His poor outing prevented a sweep and led to the end of a four-game winning streak.
Montgomery’s struggles are a reason why Arizona (29-33) has failed to take off after last year’s surprising run to the World Series.
“Definitely been searching for it,” Montgomery said. “Stronger than I’ve ever been. Don’t really know what it is, just haven’t clicked yet.”