MINNEAPOLIS — The Arizona Diamondbacks suffered another ninth-inning loss as they fell to the Minnesota Twins in walk-off fashion, 9-8, on Friday night — with questions rising over the D-Backs’ bullpen usage.
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Sep 12, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno (right) celebrates his home run with right fielder Corbin Carroll (7) against the Minnesota Twins in the ninth inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images
The D-Backs trailed the Twins going into the top of the ninth inning, 6-4. They were able to get a rally going and take the lead after catcher Gabriel Moreno hit a three-run home run off of Minnesota pitcher Cole Sands. However, the next half inning didn’t go Arizona’s way.
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo put Jake Woodford in for the save. Woodford couldn’t quite find his groove, giving up a home run and loading the bases without any outs before Lovullo pulled him to put in Andrew Saalfrank.
Sep 12, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins first base Kody Clemens (18) celebrates on his way to second base after hitting his third home run of the game off Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Jake Woodford (not shown) in the ninth inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images
Saalfrank walked the first batter he faced, tying the game. He then gave up a sacrifice fly to Twins’ Luke Keaschall and Byron Buxton scored the winning run.
Many D-Backs fans were left confused as to why Lovullo let Woodford go for as long as he did, as well as why he was given the save opportunity over Saalfrank.
Sep 12, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins second base Luke Keaschall (15) has a bucket of gum thrown on his head by teammates celebrating his ninth-inning sacrifice fly against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images
Not in my best interest to question a manager, but I do wonder, Clemens had HR’d twice in this game already… why not start the inning with Saalfrank?
— Arizona Diamondbacks | Stats & Info (@DbacksStatsInfo) September 13, 2025
Can’t defend this one. Woodford gets his 5th BS in 8 tries. Saalfrank and his 1.4 ERA, w/ 1 ER in his last 10 appearances rots in the bullpen.@Dbacks miss a golden opportunity to be 2 games out of the WC. Although w/ games like this, maybe we’re sparing ourselves embarrassment
— Neil Kucera (@NWKMF) September 13, 2025
Oh, so Saalfrank WAS available. Crazy how we didn’t use him in a 2 run game. #Dbacks
— Saul Nolasco🇺🇲 🇸🇻🇲🇽 (@Solid_Duff) September 13, 2025
Unfortunately, DBacks had a day game the day before & yesterday off. Tired of their excuses. Saalfrank absolutely has to pitch there in a must win game. I also find it funny that they’re extra careful with the good pitchers but it seems like the bad ones are always available
— TrapnDee (@DetrickSession) September 13, 2025
May 28, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Lovullo spoke to the media after the game and explained why Saalfrank wasn’t used at the beginning of the inning. According to Alex D’Agostino from Diamondbacks on SI, Lovullo said Saalfrank had pitched close to 30 pitches on Wednesday against the San Francisco Giants and would only be used in an emergency. The D-backs’ left-handed pitcher was also feeling sore.
“There’s a stack of righties, [Byron] Buxton is a good hitter,” the D-Backs manager said, according to D’Agostino. “We were trying not to let him face a left-handed pitcher in a critical situation and we were trying to stay away from [Saalfrank].”
Sep 12, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Brandon Pfaadt (32) walks to the dugout after being relieved in the fifth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images
Friday’s loss is one of many in which the Diamondbacks haven’t been able to put away opponents in the final inning, coming into the game with 27 blown saves this season. The D-Backs are still in the playoff race, just three games back of the final National League wild card spot, with the New York Mets slipping in the standings.
However, the Diamondbacks haven’t been able to gain any more ground after their loss to the Twins and losing the series to the Giants earlier this week.
The D-Backs’ playoff hopes remain alive for now, but missed opportunities like Friday’s game make the team’s future increasingly likely to miss the postseason.
Sep 12, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks center fielder Alek Thomas (5) walks to the dugout after striking out to Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Pablo Lopez (49) in the second inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images
The Arizona Diamondbacks and the Minnesota Twins face off for their second game of the series on Saturday, Sept. 13, at 4:10 p.m.
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
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