Paul Sewald blows 1st save of season, as Diamondbacks suffer crushing loss to Rangers

The Arizona Diamondbacks had finally broken through against the Texas Rangers on Wednesday, scoring three runs in the ninth inning to take a 5-3 lead after eight innings of hitting frustration.

That moment crashed down in the bottom half when closer Paul Sewald blew his first save of the season, and Danny Jansen hit a walk-off single off Juan Morillo for a 6-5 final at Globe Life Field.

Arizona dropped the series in Arlington and fell to 20-22 on the season.

The Diamondbacks were 1-for-13 with runners in scoring position entering the ninth inning, and with runners on the corners, Nolan Arenado smacked the game-tying double with no outs.

Ildemaro Vargas followed with a two-run single, and the D-backs stormed back from a 3-0 deficit earlier in the ballgame.

The Diamondbacks had ample opportunities to score in droves. They walked eight times as a team and had at least one runner in scoring position in seven separate innings.

Rangers starter Kumar Rocker walked four batters and threw 85 pitches through four innings, but he did not allow a run. He ended up throwing five scoreless frames.

The Diamondbacks recently moved Arenado into the cleanup spot, which paid off, as he has been the club’s most consistent hitter for weeks with a .355 batting average since April 21.

Corbin Carroll’s hustle double and Geraldo Perdomo’s walk to set him up, Arenado battled Rangers closer Jacob Latz for nine pitches before belting a double deep to left-center field.

It felt like a breakthrough for a lineup that scratched across a couple runs here and there but could not get the big hit all series. Vargas followed with the go-ahead knock to chase Latz, setting up what could have been a feel-good win heading into the off day.

Sewald struck out Corey Seager to start the bottom of the ninth, but he allowed three hits and a walk, including the game-tying single from D-backs killer Jake Burger. Morillo threw one pitch, which Jansen punched down the left-field line.

Texas’ three runs all came with two outs.

Sewald was 9-for-9 in saves entering Wednesday, and the Diamondbacks’ bullpen had not allowed a run since Friday.

The @Rangers have their first walk-off win of the year! pic.twitter.com/IXFy2iPV0S

— MLB (@MLB) May 14, 2026

Ryne Nelson deals vs. Rangers

The blown save and early offensive struggles took away from what was another strong start on the mound, with Ryne Nelson throwing seven innings with three earned runs, and he was unfortunate to allow two of them.

In the fifth inning, the Rangers set the table on a ground ball that should have resulted in an out, but Vargas at first base dove in front of second baseman Ketel Marte to knock it down. Texas hitter Roberto Osuna’s extended elbow caught a pitch from Nelson, the second time in as many games’ Osuna’s elbow was sticking out for a hit-by-pitch. And Burger, who entered the game with a career .390 batting average against the D-backs, hit a three-run home run to right field.

Other than that stretch, Nelson was excellent, striking out seven with no walks. Over his last three starts, Nelson has worked a 2.33 ERA with 19 strikeouts and only three walks.

Rivalry Weekend

The Diamondbacks get Thursday off before starting a three-game series at Coors Field against the Colorado Rockies. The matchup is part of MLB’s “Rivalry Weekend.”

Diamondbacks-Rockies probable starters:

Friday: RHP Merrill Kelly (2-3, 7.62) vs. LHP Kyle Freeland (1-4, 6.00)

Saturday: LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (4-0, 2.25) vs. RHP Tomoyuki Sugano (3-3, 4.07)

Sunday: RHP Michael Soroka (5-2, 3.53) vs. RHP Michael Lorenzen (2-5, 6.55)

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