Despite Merrill Kelly delivering six solid innings in his fourth quality start of the season, the Diamondbacks’ offense faltered, mustering only three hits, resulting in a 3-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs in extra innings.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Entering the 8th inning, the Diamondbacks were locked in a 1-1 tie with the Cubs. Arizona’s sole hit up to that point was a Jake McCarthy RBI single in the 2nd , a swift response to Michael Busch’s solo homer in the top half of the inning.
With one out, Randal Grichuk broke the Diamondbacks’ offensive drought by smashing a double into left field, marking only the team’s second hit of the night and snapping a streak of 17 consecutive batters without reaching base.
Following a lengthy 8-pitch at-bat resulting in a strikeout for recently called up Kevin Newman, the Cubs opted to intentionally walk Ketel Marte, paving the way for 2023 Rookie of the Year Corbin Carroll to step up to the plate.
While Carroll has faced early-season struggles, boasting a sub .240 batting average, the decision to confront him in a crucial two-out, tie game situation was undoubtedly one that Carroll was determined not to overlook.
Ultimately, Carroll seized the moment, making Chicago pay and propelling the Diamondbacks into their first lead of the night by driving a fastball over Nico Hoerner’s head at second base on a 2-2 count, bringing Randal Grichuk home.
CORBIN FRANKLIN CARROLL. pic.twitter.com/qNpYLFpTlC
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) April 16, 2024
However, after this clutch hit, Arizona’s fortunes went completely downhill.
In the top of the 9th, Kevin Ginkel surrendered a pair of base hits with one out, setting the stage for one of the most bizarre ways a team can tie a game.
Nico Hoerner scored all the way from 2nd base on an all-out hustle play, capitalizing on a wild pitch that eluded Gold Glove catcher Gabriel Moreno.
This is precisely the kind of scenario where the Diamondbacks feel the absence of Paul Sewald even more keenly. Sewald, the team’s primary closer, is currently sidelined on the 15-day IL due to a left oblique strain and has yet to make an appearance this season.
NICO. HUSTLE. pic.twitter.com/vVJg4SLEQr
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) April 16, 2024
In the bottom half of the inning, with the game deadlocked at two runs apiece, Joc Pederson earned a walk. However, pinch-hitting for Pederson was rookie Blaze Alexander, who was subsequently thrown out at second base in an attempt to steal, forcing the game into extras.
Bryce Jarvis surrendered a run to the Cubs in the 11th inning, breaking the tie. Unfortunately, the Diamondbacks failed to respond in the bottom half of the inning, leaving Ketel Marte stranded on third base as the game concluded.
With a record of 8-9 for the season, the Diamondbacks aim to level the series tomorrow at 6:40 PM, with Tommy Henry taking the mound.
