Diamondbacks need to jumpstart offene to salvage series win vs. Rockies

PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks looked like they were gearing up to overpower the Rockies again on Tuesday, but a quick start failed to materialize into a satisfying performance as Colorado eked out a 3-2 win at Chase Field.

Corbin Carroll and Ketel Marte set a tone with solo home runs in the first inning, the first time they had gone yard in the same game since June 4 against the Los Angeles Dodgers (Marte’s walk-off). Nolan Arenado followed with his first triple of the season and second since 2023, as the offense seemed to be off and running after a nine-run performance.

The D-backs, however, did not build a lead like they had on Monday, when they put a last-place team away immediately with a 7-0 lead in the second inning.

Rockies starter Tomoyuki Sugano stopped the bleeding, as he has given the D-backs trouble in three starts this season despite pretty lackluster numbers overall: 4.69 ERA against other teams, 3.06 ERA against Arizona.

The Diamondbacks mustered three singles after the third inning in a game filled with pop-ups and fly balls that did not put much pressure on the Colorado defense. It was the type of game the D-backs set out to avoid on Monday after playing a dramatic series against the Dodgers.

“Things started off pretty good,” manager Torey Lovullo said. “You feel like you’re going to put some more runs on the board, but we didn’t. … I felt very good about this game walking into it. I felt like everybody knew the importance of it, but we didn’t get it done. We’ve got to find a way to come out tomorrow and win a series.”

The Rockies took the lead on a Mickey Moniak sacrifice fly off Kevin Ginkel in the seventh inning after a Hunter Goodman triple that bounced off the wall and away from center fielder Ryan Waldschmidt.

The D-backs will not win every game against bad teams for the rest of the season, but Tuesday’s loss applies some pressure for Wednesday’s rubber match.

The Philadelphia Phillies lost on Tuesday, while the San Diego Padres won. Philadelphia, San Diego and Arizona are all 64-57, tied for two of the three National League Wild Card spots.

Losing a series to the Rockies would be a tough result when the margins are so slim, especially considering the D-backs go on the road to face the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves and fellow postseason-contending Boston Red Sox after this series concludes on Wednesday.

“It definitely stings,” Lovullo said. “Every game matters during the season, but it is extremely critical when you are in a position that we are that you play your best game every single night, and our guys gave a great effort today. We just got beat.”

Diamondbacks rookie Mitch Bratt continues to look better

D-backs starter Mitch Bratt did all he could to give his team a runway, shutting out the Rockies until Kyle Karros hit a game-tying, two-run home run in the sixth inning. The big fly came with two outs after Ezequiel Tovar reached base on a swinging bunt, as the Rockies benefitted from a couple fortunate bounces on Tuesday.

Bratt finished with a quality start of six innings, two runs and four hits, following up his seven-inning gem last week with another all-around solid effort. He drew lots of weak contact (83 mph exit velocity) and worked efficiently, especially early with 35 pitches through three innings.

The rookie felt like he took a step forward on Tuesday with his command, only walking one batter while throwing 57 of 79 pitches for strikes.

“I threw more strikes than the last one,” Bratt said. “I’ll take seven innings, nine punchies any day of the week. But still, six innings, two runs, I’ll take that. … Being able to command the zone, I think I did a good job of today.”

Tuesday attendance

21,002

Final day of the NL West homestand

The Diamondbacks’ 10 games in 10 days homestand wraps up on Wednesday.

Merrill Kelly (4.88 ERA) will pitch the series finale for the Diamondbacks, while right-hander Ryan Feltner (5.71 ERA) will go for Colorado.

First pitch is at 12:40 p.m. MST on 98.7 and the Arizona Sports app.  

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