A lively crowd of 42,676 gathered at Chase Field on Father’s Day, hoping the Arizona Diamondbacks could complete a sweep against the San Diego Padres. The previous day had featured a dramatic ninth-inning rally by the Diamondbacks, who scored five runs to secure a thrilling victory. However, the mood shifted sharply as the Padres took control, stifling Arizona’s offense and dealing Merrill Kelly an uncharacteristically difficult outing. The game ended in an 8-2 loss that shattered Arizona’s hopes of continuing their comeback.

San Diego’s Superior Performance Overwhelms Arizona

The Diamondbacks struggled significantly, managing only three hits compared to the Padres’ 13. San Diego’s starting pitcher, Nick Pivetta, delivered an impressive seven-inning performance, allowing just two hits and striking out nine. The Padres’ bullpen maintained the pressure, adding five more strikeouts to Arizona’s total, which ended at 14 for the game. Arizona’s key hitters Corbin Carroll, Ketel Marte, and Geraldo Perdomo were held hitless in 12 combined at-bats, underscoring the team’s offensive struggles throughout the contest.

Merrill Kelly’s Early Control Gives Way to Trouble in Middle Innings

Merrill Kelly began the game sharply, needing only 39 pitches to complete the first three innings despite allowing three singles. Nonetheless, his command faltered after the third inning, highlighted by a walk to leadoff batter Gavin Sheets, who later scored on an RBI double from Xander Bogaerts. Following a lengthy ten-pitch at-bat, Kelly conceded a two-run home run to Jake Cronenworth, putting the Padres ahead 3-0. The difficulties continued into the fifth inning as Kelly surrendered additional runs courtesy of singles by Fernando Tatis Jr. and Luis Arráez. His final statistics included seven hits, one walk, and seven strikeouts across five innings and 93 pitches, marking a challenging day for the typically reliable Diamondbacks starter.

Diamondbacks’ Brief Rally Sparked by Suarez’s Homer

Arizona found some offense late as Eugenio Suarez connected for a towering 437-foot home run, his 21st of the season, trimming the deficit to 4-2 and igniting the crowd‘s hopes for a comeback. However, the Padres responded quickly, expanding their lead to 6-2 in the seventh inning against reliever Tayler Scott. During this frame, Geraldo Perdomo suffered a scare when he rolled his left glove hand underneath his body while making a diving play, prompting a trainer to check on him. Fortunately, Perdomo remained in the game, demonstrating the toughness that reflects Arizona’s team character.

DeSclafani’s Debut Fails to Stem Padres’ Surge as Arizona Falls Behind Wild Card Race

Anthony DeSclafani made his first appearance for the Diamondbacks but was unable to halt the Padres’ scoring in the ninth inning, allowing two more runs that sealed the game. With this outcome, Arizona’s record dropped to 36-35, placing them 3.5 games behind the 39-31 Padres for the third National League Wild Card spot. The defeat highlights the challenges the Diamondbacks face in their effort to pursue a postseason berth.

Upcoming Road Trip Poses Critical Test for Diamondbacks’ Resilience

Looking forward, the Diamondbacks will embark on a tough road trip beginning with a three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays. This trip marks the start of a demanding stretch of nine games over 11 days away from home. After a day off, the team must regroup and reflect on this loss, relying on the resilience they have shown throughout the season to regain momentum and continue their pursuit of a playoff position.

“Despite surrendering three singles, he appeared unscathed.” —Unnamed source
“Kelly’s rhythm faltered; he walked the leadoff man Gavin Sheets, who then scored on an RBI double from Xander Bogaerts.” —Unnamed source
“Fortunately, he remained in the game, showcasing the grit and determination that characterizes the Diamondbacks’ spirit.” —Unnamed source