Since acquiring Paul Sewald about a week ago, the Diamondbacks have struggled to even get their new closer on the mound for a save opportunity.
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After fighting all game in a back-and-forth affair, the Diamondbacks looked to be on their way to snapping a five-game losing streak.
Zac Gallen provided seven excellent innings in which he allowed just two earned runs on four hits. Up until the ninth inning, the Twins had recorded just four hits against Arizona.
While the Diamondbacks did trail 2-1 heading into the seventh, a Lourdes Gurriel Jr. double and a Christian Walker home run allowed the D-backs to head into the ninth inning with a lead for the first time since July 29th.
However, this lead was short-lived, as the Diamondbacks newly acquired closer, Paul Sewald, did not record a single out before allowing three earned runs in the bottom of the ninth.
A Max Kepler solo shot opened up the inning to tie the game. This was then followed by a walk and a two-run walk-off home run by Matt Wallner. It was Wallner’s seventh home run this season.
Ironically, the last time Paul Sewald blew a game in the ninth was on July 24th against the Twins.
With this 5-3 loss, the Diamondbacks have scored less than five runs in ten games in a row; they are 2-8 in this span. Arizona has yet to win a game since the trade deadline.
The D-backs will now head back home to take on the Dodgers on Tuesday. If defeated, Arizona will officially hold a .500 record for the first time since opening week.
At this point, the end of the season cannot come soon enough for the Diamondbacks.
