A disastrous first inning was enough to derail the Diamondbacks’ chances against San Diego on Friday night.
Diamondbacks News
San Diego 5, Arizona 3
Merrill Kell got slapped around in the first inning, which was made all the worse by the defense letting him down no fewer than three times in the frame. Ketel Marte had a particularly rough go of things in the first, being eaten alive by one GIDP ball and then throwing another away. The Diamondbacks clawed back two in the bottom half of the inning and kept the game close, but the team never looked in the game.
NL Wild Card Race Tightens Further
Leave it to the Diamondbacks to make sure that their fans need to watch all 162 game plus the final double-header between the Braves and Mets to figure out whether or not Arizona will be playing October baseball.
Disastrous First Sinks Diamondbacks in Game One
Merrill Kelly and Ketel Marte would like that first inning back.
Diamondbacks Postseason Window Shrinks Further
Merrill Kelly really was better than his stat line would indicate. But the magnitude of the first inning woes, combined with Arizona’s inability to get things going against Yu Darvish and the Padres was just too much to overcome.
Torey Lovullo on the Diamondbacks no longer controlling their destiny in the wild card:
“I don’t feel great, but it makes me hungry. It makes me want to come here tomorrow and be at my absolute best for this team, and I know the team feels the same way as well.” pic.twitter.com/58rp25MNmt
— PHNX Diamondbacks (@PHNX_Dbacks) September 28, 2024
How the Diamondbacks Can Clinch this Weekend
After last night’s loss, the Snakes now need some help.
Ryne Nelson to Work from Bullpen
Returning just in time to see out the final games of the season, Ryne Nelson will be ready in the bullpen should Torey Lovullo decide to use the right-hander’s services.
Other Baseball News
Kansas City Headed to Playoffs
From 106 losses to aa wild card berth, the Royals are the new Diamondbacks or Orioles.
Ha-Seong Kim Not Returning this Year
The Padres have nailed down the top wild card slot, but will have to contend with the remainder of 2024 without Ha-Seong Kim.
Skip Schumaker Will Not Return as Marlins Manager in 2025
After the Marlins parted ways with Kim Ng, Schumaker voiced his displeasure and convinced the Marlins to void the 2025 portion of his contract.
Potential Difference Makers in the NL (potential Fangraphs paywall)
Anyone who has been watching Arizona play this year knows that they have quite the penchant for coming from behind to win. That is their big weapon for October.
White Sox Record Loss Number 121
The White Sox have set the record for futility.