The Diamondbacks entered the series against the Tampa Bay Rays winners of six in a row and clicking on all cylinders. They leave the series searching for answers after an 8-7 extra-inning loss completed a three-game series sweep.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!They trailed 6-0 before logging their first base hit and run in the seventh inning, but still found a way to fight their way back in the game late. They were completely shut down by Drew Rasmussen and Tyler Alexander for the first six innings, the lone baserunner being a four-pitch walk to Geraldo Perdomo to start the top of the fourth.
Arizona starting making noise late in the game. Kevin Newman singled on a ground ball that kicked off José Caballero’s glove. Corbin Carroll then launched a two-run home run to cut the deficit to three and put them back in the game.
Corbin Carroll destroys another baseball. The game has suddenly gotten interesting again, as the #Dbacks are down 3. pic.twitter.com/ORyOa5F1jN
— Michael McDermott (@MichaelMcDMLB) August 18, 2024
Following another scoreless inning from Dylan Floro, the Diamondbacks got to Rays closer Pete Fairbanks for the second time in the series. Jake McCarthy singled through the hole at short and Joc Pederson drew a walk to bring the tying run to the plate. Adrian Del Castillo got a slider to hit from Fairbanks and crushed a no-doubter to right center.
#Dbacks overcome their own poor play and Dan Bellino’s ump show with another game-tying blast off Rays closer Pete Fairbanks. This time it’s the rookie Adrian Del Castillo. pic.twitter.com/8BejfQDk9U
— Michael McDermott (@MichaelMcDMLB) August 18, 2024
After trading runs in the 10th and zeros in the 11th, the key moment that haunted Arizona came in the top of the 12th. A bunt single by Geraldo Perdomo put the Diamondbacks in prime scoring position with Carroll at the plate. Carroll rolled over to first, with Kevin Newman thrown out at home plate. That came back to bite them, as Dylan Carlson’s single in the bottom half proved to be the winner.
The loss completed a nightmare weekend for the Diamondbacks. Their top two starters, Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly, were battered for 10 runs in 10 innings, taking the team out of both games. Ketel Marte reaggravated his ankle injury again, putting his availability to the team in doubt once again. The defense struggled to pick up the baseball and the Rays exploited Arizona’s inability to control the running game without catcher Gabriel Moreno. The Rays stole 12 bases in the series, the most the Diamondbacks allowed for a series in franchise history.
There was a lot riding on a strong start from Kelly going into this game. The right-hander struggled with his command early, and was burned on a Brandon Lowe two-run home run in the third, but had settled in. At one point he retired four batters on four straight pitches and it looked like the game had settled down.
But the Rays got to him in the fifth. Back-to-back one-out singles followed by a wild pitch put two runners in scoring position for Jose Caballero, who roped a double to the left field wall to put Tampa Bay up four. After a steal of third, Junior Caminero singled in another run home and advanced to third to put up another run. Kelly went back out for the sixth but was promptly removed after back-to-back walks. One of them came around to score off Joe Mantiply later in the inning.
After their series-opening loss, Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said the coaching staff identified five to six things they need to work on. Depending on what happens next, the series could serve as a teaching moment for the club. Despite the nightmare weekend, they are still in great shape for postseason play, holding down the second National League Wild Card spot.
The Diamondbacks will move downstate to take on the Miami Marlins. The Marlins have given them trouble the past two seasons, with a 3-6 record in the last three series against Miami. Neither team has announced a starter for the series, but right-hander Brandon Pfaadt is the likely probable starter for Arizona. First pitch at loanDepot Park will be at 3:40 P.M. MST.
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Michael McDermott covers the Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Cardinals, and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @MichaelMcDMLB
