The Diamondbacks entered a three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field riding high on a six-game winning streak and a 9-1 record over their last 10 games. With the NL West lead down to just two games and Arizona boasting one of the best records in baseball since the All-Star break, the team seemed unstoppable.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!However, the series turned into a nightmare for the Diamondbacks. In Game 1, Corbin Carroll, after heroically tying the game in the top of the 9th with two outs and two strikes, made a costly error in center field that handed the Rays the win. Game 2 was equally disappointing, marred by defensive miscues and another mediocre start from their so-called ace, Zac Gallen. The series finale brought more bad news as All-Star Ketel Marte exited early with a reinjured ankle, hinting at a potential IL stint for the second baseman.
The Diamondbacks now face the prospect of having three of their top players on the IL, with Marte potentially joining Christian Walker and Gabriel Moreno, pending the results of his X-rays. The absence of Moreno was particularly felt against the Rays, as Tampa Bay stole 13 bases in the series, the most Arizona has allowed in a single series all season.
After the sweep, manager Torey Lovullo spoke with Jody Jackson about his emotions, noting, “There were some really good moments and some really identifiable areas where we need to improve and get back to playing Diamondbacks baseball.”
Despite Sunday’s loss, Lovullo remained positive, focusing on his team’s resilience in overcoming a large deficit and breaking the offense open after being no-hit through the first six innings. “I’ve got to bridge over to how proud I am of this team. We were losing, we were getting no-hit, then all of a sudden, we’re back in the game and forced extra innings. We fought hard, so there’s no quit in this team—they’re hungry, and that’s what I’m going to focus on as we head to Miami.”
Lovullo also praised Corbin Carroll for breaking up the no-hitter and Adrian Del Castillo for his two-run homer that tied the game in the 9th. “Those are great moments for a couple of young players,” Lovullo said. “Corbin scratched out a knock and then hit a left-on-left home run to get us right back in the game… With Del hitting that home run, it totally reenergized our dugout.”
Lovullo attributed the extra-innings loss to poor pitch selection and missed opportunities. In the top of the 12th, with runners on the corner and nobody out, Kevin Newman was thrown out at home, followed by back-to-back strikeouts that ended the inning.
