D-backs’ devastating loss to Marlins squanders chance to tighten playoff race

PHOENIX — The stars could not have aligned more perfectly for the Arizona Diamondbacks in the National League Wild Card chase on Tuesday.

All three teams ahead of Arizona lost, including the San Diego Padres, who had won their previous eight games. With a win over the Miami Marlins, the Diamondbacks could have trailed San Diego by 1.5 games. They would have been 2.5 games behind the Philadelphia Phillies for the second Wild Card spot and built momentum from their walk-off victory on Monday.

The Diamondbacks failed to make it happen, however, losing to the Miami Marlins 4-2 in 11 innings. It was another excruciating yet all-too-common performance from the offense, which wasted chance after chance with runners on base.

The D-backs and Marlins went into extras tied at one, at which point Arizona had left 12 runners on base (two in the ninth inning) to Miami’s four.

“This one sucked,” manager Torey Lovullo said. “We let a game get away from us that I felt like we should have won.”

“It hurts,” starting pitcher Michael Soroka said.

Kevin Ginkel stranded the ghost runner in the 10th and the D-backs had runners on second and third with one out. Ryan Waldschmidt hit a check-swing ground ball, Geraldo Perdomo was thrown out at home plate and the Diamondbacks did not get an opportunity that juicy again.

Marlins catcher Brian Navarreto blocked home with his foot and Perdomo dove right into it, and the Diamondbacks challenged the out call. Lovullo explained postgame that catchers are allowed to block the plate when the infield is drawn in.

The next at-bat brought more drama, as Ildemaro Vargas hit a bouncer to shortstop Otto Lopez, whose throw to first was high. First baseman Deyvison De Los Santos (the former D-backs prospect) barely got the tag down on Vargas’ back to save the game. Arizona was a hair away from winning the game.

Instead, with the bases loaded and two outs in the top of the 11th inning, Marlins backup outfielder Esteury Ruiz blasted a three-run triple off Taylor Clarke to suck all remaining air out of the building.

Arizona did not record a hit with runners in scoring position until Ketel Marte’s RBI double with two outs in the 11th, as the lineup finished 1-for-13 with RISP and left 15 runners on. Perdomo was 0-for-3 alone, as one of the clutchest players in baseball over the previous three years is batting .167 with RISP in 2026.

10 Diamondbacks games left

This Diamondbacks season has been one of bouncing back and failing to keep momentum going. If there was a win to galvanize the team, Monday’s felt about as close to ideal as it gets with multiple comebacks and a walk-off home run from Corbin Carroll.

Their ability to move on will be tested again, however, as the D-backs continue to live three games back (in the loss column) of a playoff spot. That’s the cut-off point. The D-backs need to be within three games to have a puncher’s chance at the postseason when they visit the Padres in the final series.

There are 10 games left, and losses like Tuesday’s will stand out if this team fails to make the postseason.

“It shouldn’t be our main focus right now, it should just be obviously winning games here,” Lars Nootbaar said after learning the Padres had lost. “Given that we play three at the end of the year against them, it’s like all we can do is control how our games go and the outcomes we have here. Tough to hear, obviously, but we’re more upset that we didn’t come out with a win.”

Soroka and the Diamondbacks bullpen did all they could through 10 innings. Soroka allowed one run in five innings while working on a pitch count, getting up to 80 pitches. He struck out six hitters and allowed two hits, including a Griffin Conine home run.

Justin Martinez threw for the second straight game, his first back-to-back since he underwent Tommy John surgery last year, a notable step in his progression. Martinez’s scoreless inning ended on a strike-’em out, throw-’em out double play.

Martinez, Brandyn Garcia, Juan Morillo and Ginkel combined for five innings, two hits and no walks.

The Diamondbacks even scored in the first inning — on a Gabriel Moreno home run — for the first time in September. The last time they put a run on the board in the opening frame was on Aug. 28 in San Francisco. It had been 14 games.

The question for the next 20 hours is was this the dagger in their playoff hopes or another obstacle they can rally to overcome? They are running low on time to do so.

“I think if anything it’s easier to bounce back because there’s more to fight for in a way,” Soroka said. “It’s a little more real at this point. It’s a little different in May. But I think at this point we know what we have to do, and I think there’s lots of energy still in this clubhouse.”

Tuesday attendance

24,869

Wednesday starters

RHP Merrill Kelly (9-13, 4.97) vs. RHP Ryan Gusto (1-5, 4.14)

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