Diamondbacks’ Brandon Pfaadt struggles giving up 7 runs in loss to Philadelphia

Brandon Pfaadt allowed seven runs in 4.2 innings as the Diamondbacks’ win streak in his starts ended with a rough outing against the Phillies.

BY BRANDON CADIZ

May 3, 2025, 5:45 PM Updated: May 5, 2025, 11:39 am

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Watch: The Arizona Diamondbacks' roller coaster: From beating the Dodgers to losing to the Rockies | 9 mins

The Arizona Diamondbacks entered Saturday’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies winning Brandon Pfaadt’s last five starts. The right-hander was tied with San Diego Padres pitcher Nick Pivetta for the most wins by a pitcher in MLB (5).

But Saturday was a different story. Pfaadt threw 93 pitches across just 4.2 innings, his shortest outing of the season. He surrendered seven runs on nine hits in a 7-2 loss. He struck out six, while walking one and hit two batters and gave up two home runs.

Pfaadt had gone at least 5.2 innings in his first six starts this season and looked to continue the trend against Philadelphia, providing the bullpen with some rest after Merrill Kelly was pulled early from Friday’s start with right hamstring cramping.

Diamondbacks’ Brandon Pfaadt starts strong versus Philadlphia Phillies

Pfaadt struck out three batters in the first inning as he allowed a single to shortstop Trea Turner, the second batter of the game. Bryson Stott was the first victim looking on a sweeper, he froze Bryce Harper with a fastball and got Kyle Schwarber swinging on a changeup.

Pfaadt gives up three runs in back-to-back innings

The second inning unraveled quickly. Pfaadt gave up five consecutive hits to start the frame — Nick Castellanos singled which was followed up with a two-run homer to left field from Max Kepler. Brandon Marsh later doubled in J.T. Realmuto to put the Phillies up 3-0.

Stay hot, Max 🔥#RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/u4C0qvNb8v

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) May 3, 2025

Rain began to fall in the third inning and Pfaadt’s struggles continued. He hit Schwarber with a sweeper to open the frame. Two batters later, Realmuto launched a three-run home run to left-center field, the seventh homer Pfaadt has surrendered in as many starts this season.

Rain never bothered J.T. anyway pic.twitter.com/ru13W0VKS0

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) May 3, 2025

Philadelphia added another run in the fourth, though it was unearned. With two outs, Turner who had doubled earlier in the inning, came around to score when Eugenio Suarez’s throw to first was high, pulling Josh Naylor off the bag at first.

Pfaddt faced four more batters before being pulled at 93 pitches.

Aaron Nola too much to handle for the Diamondbacks

Aaron Nola pitched six scoreless innings allowing just four hits and striking out eight. He did walk and hit one batter.

The first four starters in Arizona’s lineup combined to go 0-for-13 tonight.

The most trouble that Nola saw was Suarez and Gabriel Moreno hitting back-to-back singles to start off the second frame before Lourdes Gurriel Jr. struck out swinging. What could have been a big inning was neutralized when Alek Thomas grounded into a 4-6-3 double play to end the inning.

Bottom of the Diamondbacks lineup performs

Arizona’s five through eight hitters were the lone bright spot on offense. This part of the order combined to go 7-for-16 with two doubles and a home run.

Gurriel was responsible for one of those doubles in the ninth inning, but before that, he hit a two-run homer to left field, his fifth of the year in the seventh inning.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. – Arizona Diamondbacks (5)
pic.twitter.com/E8uJ4yiVO8

— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) May 4, 2025

Diamondbacks next game

The Diamondbacks and Phillies series resumes on Sunday at 11:05 a.m.

Left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez (1-3, 6.06 ERA) starts for the Diamondbacks on Sunday, and left-hander Ranger Suárez makes his season debut for the Phillies.

Catch the game on 98.7 and the Arizona Sports app.