Diamondbacks offense unable to break through in matchup of rookie pitchers, split series with Giants

Two rookies faced off on the mound in the Diamondbacks’ series finale at the San Francisco Giants, but it was the one without prior MLB experience who came out on top in a 7-2 Arizona loss.

The Diamondbacks split the series with their division rival, winning the middle two matchups that included the first game of Saturday’s doubleheader.

Arizona lefty Mitch Bratt threw two 1-2-3 innings in his first four, but the fifth inning quickly unraveled for the rookie. A single, walk and sacrifice bunt put two runners in scoring position in a 1-1 game, and fellow rookie Gerardo Carrillo was not ready to answer the bell.

Carrillo gave up a walk, two singles and another walk to his first four batters, as the Diamondbacks fell behind 4-2. Arizona had just two hits the rest of the way, including Ildemaro Vargas’s RBI knock in the seventh inning.

Arizona faced Giants right-hander Yunior Marte, a 6-foot-6 23-year-old from the Dominican Republic making his MLB debut. Marte allowed just one run on three hits and two walks across 4.2 innings pitched (76 pitches).

Justin Martinez had a rocky eighth inning between a throwing error to first base and a walk that then transferred two base runners to Dennis Santana with Giants slugger Rafael Devers at the plate. Devers made Arizona pay with his seventh hit of the series, bringing in another run.

Young phenom Bryce Eldridge gave San Francisco another insurance run on an infield hit.

Up next for Diamondbacks

Arizona gets Sunday off following the doubleheader and will return to Chase Field for a series beginning Monday against the Philadelphia Phillies, who currently have the second National League Wild Card slot.

The series could mark the return of Ketel Marte, who was placed on the 10-day injured list on Aug. 20 following a no-show at Fenway Park on Aug. 17.

Catch the series opener Monday at 6:40 p.m. MST on 98.7 and the Arizona Sports app.

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