Ryne Nelson delivered six and two-thirds innings of effective pitching as the Arizona Diamondbacks defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-0 in Phoenix on Monday, snapping a five-game losing streak. Nelson’s performance was key in a game that featured home runs by Eugenio Suarez and Josh Naylor, propelling the D-backs to their first victory after a challenging stretch of play.
Nelson’s Longest Start Highlights Pitching Depth
Nelson, now 2-1 for the season, limited the Pirates to four hits while striking out four batters without issuing a walk. This outing marked his longest start of the year and came as he continued to fill in for Eduardo Rodriguez, who has been on the injured list since May 16 due to shoulder inflammation. Following Nelson’s strong effort, four relievers combined to complete the shutout, with Ryan Thompson closing in the ninth inning.
Offensive Contributions Boost Arizona’s Lead
Gabriel Moreno led the offense with three hits, supported by Ketel Marte’s two hits and one RBI. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. also chipped in with two hits, helping the Diamondbacks overcome the pressure of having faced 22 of their last 25 games against teams with winning records. The combination of solid offense and reliable pitching gave Arizona a well-rounded victory.
Pirates Threaten but Fail to Score in Final Innings
In the eighth inning, the Pirates managed to load the bases thanks to an error by Suarez at third base and walks issued by reliever Scott McGough. However, Justin Martinez came on to strike out a batter and induce two unproductive outs, preserving the shutout. Pittsburgh was held scoreless for the ninth time this season, despite a recent stretch in which they won four of six games.
Pirates Starter Struggles Against D-backs’ Offense
Starting pitcher Andrew Heaney recorded five runs on eight hits over five innings, adding two strikeouts but walking three batters. Oneil Cruz began the game with a double and advanced to third base before Nelson ended the inning with a ground out. After that early threat, Pittsburgh did not reach second base again until the seventh inning when Adam Frazier doubled.
Scoring Plays Define the Game
In the second inning, Randal Grichuk singled and Moreno doubled off Heaney, who had allowed just four runs combined in his previous three starts. A sacrifice fly by Tim Tawa brought in Grichuk, and an RBI single by Marte followed, establishing a 2-0 lead. Suarez’s 433-foot home run extended the advantage to 3-0 in the fourth inning, marking his 15th home run—tying him with teammate Corbin Carroll for third place in the National League.
Suarez later walked in the fifth inning and scored on Naylor’s homer, which just cleared the right field fence, putting Arizona up 5-0. Naylor’s home run was his sixth of the season, sealing the D-backs’ comfortable lead.
Looking Ahead: A Hopeful Turn for the Diamondbacks
This win ends a difficult phase for Arizona and showcases their capacity to rebound with strong pitching and timely hitting. With Ryne Nelson stepping up in place of an injured Eduardo Rodriguez, the team demonstrates depth in their rotation. If they can maintain this balance of effective pitching and consistent offense, the Diamondbacks may find renewed momentum as they continue facing stiff competition.