PHOENIX — Friday night’s loss to the St. Louis Cardinals was the kind of game Arizona Diamondbacks fans will want to forget, but probably won’t.
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Jul 17, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (4) throws the ball to first base in the fourth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images
The Diamondbacks dropped a frustrating matchup where almost everything that could go wrong did. Defensive miscues, costly baserunning mistakes and missed opportunities at the plate combined to let a winnable game slip away.
The most talked-about moment came on the final pitch.
With one final out to work with in the bottom of the ninth inning, Tima Tawa stood on second base as the D-Backs trailed 5-4. Ketel Marte was then called out on strikes on a pitch that appeared to be above the top of the strike zone. Arizona still had both of its automated ball-strike (ABS) challenges available, but Marte didn’t use either as he walked away while the Cardinals celebrated.
Jul 3, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte against the Milwaukee Brewers at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Had Marte challenged the call, the pitch would have been ruled a ball, turning the count to 3-2 and giving him another opportunity to drive in the tying run or potentially draw a walk.
That’s where fan frustration swept across social media. In a one-run game, with the final out at stake, many were left wondering why the All-Star didn’t at least take the chance.
Why would Ketel Marte not challenge that ball it was clearly high and he has nothing to lose it’s ball game if u don’t challenge wtf is goin on smh if they tie the game there Walker is ghost runner next inning smh
— Jake 🐍 (@MindOfJakeUp) July 18, 2026
DOES KETEL MARTE KNOW YOU CAN CHALLENGE PITCHES???
— riley☀️ (@valleyriley) July 18, 2026
Jorge Barrosa came on to pinch run and got picked off taking an irresponsibly large lead.
Then Ketel Marte didn’t challenge a clear ball on the LAST pitch of the game when the DBacks had 2 challenges left.
This team is either poorly coached, incredibly stupid, or a combination
— Scott Howard (@ScottHoward42) July 18, 2026
Marte really didn’t challenge that? Its the last out of the game…u challenge that even if its down the middle let alone high….that was the most pathetic baseball play I ever seen. Ketel just didn’t want to play anymore. Sad #dbacks #ketelmarte
— Legend Urquidez (@Legend_uq) July 18, 2026
The non-challenge became the lasting conversation of the night, but it was far from Arizona’s only mistake.
The questionable decision capped an uncharacteristically sloppy night to begin the second half of the season. After sweeping the Los Angeles Dodgers just one weekend ago, Diamondbacks fans hoped that momentum would carry into this weekend’s series.
So far, it hasn’t.
Jul 3, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte against the Milwaukee Brewers at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
With the margin for error continuing to shrink by the day in the National League Wild Card race, losses like this become even more frustrating. Instead of discussing a comeback or a resilient win, the conversation is now centered on execution, decision-making and what could have been if just one or two plays had gone differently.
While one loss won’t completely alter the Wild Card standings, it also can’t be dismissed. As the season enters its final stretch, every game carries more weight.
One or two missed opportunities could ultimately be the difference between playing postseason baseball and watching October from home.
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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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