For the first time since July 21st, 10 games ago, the Arizona Diamondbacks scored fewer than four runs. On Saturday, their offense had no answers, and their four-game winning streak came to a halt in a 4-2 loss to the Pirates.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Arizona’s 1-6 hitters, comprising Corbin Carroll, Ketel Marte, Joc Pederson, Josh Bell, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., and Jake McCarthy, went a combined 1-21 at the plate. This was a stark contrast to the day before when the first four batters set a major league record with 15 total bases to start a game.
Starting on the mound for Pittsburgh was Mitch Keller, who pitched against the Diamondbacks last week, tossing seven innings while allowing two earned runs. Keller, while he did not go quite as deep, replicated this performance with four shutout innings.
The Pirates struck first with a Joey Bart solo homer in the 2nd inning off Jordan Montgomery. Ultimately, Montgomery did not have a bad outing, as he only allowed one run across three innings on the mound.
The Diamondbacks sparked a bottom-of-the-order rally in the 5th inning, loading the bases with no outs and trailing by one run. However, they failed to capitalize. Corbin Carroll popped up, Ketel Marte struck out on three pitches, and although Joc Pederson drew a walk to tie the game, the Diamondbacks managed to score only one run.
This missed opportunity backfired as the Pirates jumped on Slade Cecconi in the 6th inning, with Bryan Reynolds hitting a two-run homer as part of the rally.
In the top of the 9th, trailing by three, Arizona got the tying run on base. Ketel Marte delivered the first hit of the night from the top of the batting order, driving in Geraldo Perdomo with a base hit. However, Alek Thomas, pinch-hitting for Randal Grichuk with two runners on base, flied out to centerfield to end the game.
Perdomo was the only bright spot in the Diamondbacks‘ offense, going 3-3 at the plate with a pair of doubles. Overall, the Diamondbacks left 10 runners on base and went 1-8 with runners in scoring position.
While Slade Cecconi’s inning, where he allowed three earned runs, proved decisive, Arizona’s top lineup failed to convert on key opportunities throughout the night.
The Diamondbacks now face the daunting task of going against rookie sensation Paul Skenes tomorrow as they look to secure a series win over Pittsburgh. Since his major league debut, Skenes has pitched at least six innings in his 12 subsequent starts. First pitch is at 10:35 AM.
