After collapsing against the A’s on Tuesday, resulting in an extra-inning loss, the Diamondbacks looked to be heading down the same path once again.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Just like Tuesday, the D-backs jumped out to an early lead and held this lead late into the ballgame. Ryne Nelson provided 5.1 innings of one-hit baseball, his best start of the year.
But, as it has been a constant theme all season, the bullpen allowed three runs in the 7th inning, resulting in a brand-new ballgame.
Luis Frias, recently called up from Triple-A earlier today, walked two batters before allowing a three-run homer. Frias did not record a single out before the damage was done.
Luckily, the A’s made a mistake of their own by putting in Shintaro Fujinami in the ninth inning with the score tied at three. Fujinami holds a 12.24 ERA on the season, and after being moved to the bullpen, he has allowed more than one run in four out of six appearances.
It was no different in today’s matchup, as Lourdes Gurriel Jr. pounced on Fujinami right away with a leadoff double. This was then followed by a couple of walks and a base knock to make it a 5-3 game.
Miguel Castro closed it out with a shutout bottom half of the ninth, securing a Diamondbacks victory.
While the D-backs did not come out of Oakland with a sweep, taking two of three is never a bad thing.
Arizona will now visit the Pirates for a three-game series starting on Friday. It will be Zac Gallen taking the mound for the D-backs.
