Merrill Kelly’s struggles continue as Diamondbacks fall to Cubs in series sweep
Merrill Kelly surrendered six runs as the Diamondbacks' struggles continued in a loss to the Cubs on Sunday in a series sweep.
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CHICAGO (AP) — Michael Busch hit a three-run triple and a sacrifice fly, and the Cubs beat the Diamondbacks 8-4 on Sunday as Arizona dropped their fourth straight loss.
Gabriel Moreno and Adrian Del Castillo each hit two-run homers for Arizona. Merrill Kelly (1-3) allowed six runs and eight hits in 4 1/3 innings.
Gabi goes 427 ft. pic.twitter.com/QfqY5XdUCU
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) May 3, 2026
Moisés Ballesteros homered as Chicago improved to 15-3 in its last 18 games. Matthew Boyd (2-1) pitched six innings of two-run ball.
The Diamondbacks had a chance to get back in the game in the seventh, loading the bases with two down. But Ketel Marte struck out swinging against Phil Maton, ending the inning.
At 22-12, the Cubs are a season-high 10 games over .500. They have won 11 straight home games for the first time since they won 14 in a row at Wrigley Field in 2008.
Ballesteros connected for a two-run shot in the third, and the NL Central-leading Cubs added three more in the fifth.
Ballesteros reached on a leadoff walk and Alex Bregman followed with a bouncer to third. Nolan Arenado tried to get Ballesteros at second, but he beat out the throw. Ian Happ then walked after he used ABS to overturn a called third strike.
One batter later, Busch chased Kelly with a liner into the corner in right. Busch’s first triple of the season gave Chicago a 6-2 lead.
Former D-back Carson Kelly had two hits and two RBIs for the Cubs, and Nico Hoerner went 2 for 5 in his return to the lineup after missing Saturday’s game because of tightness in his neck.
Up next for the Diamondbacks
The Diamondbacks are off Monday before LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (2-0, 3.03 ERA) starts Tuesday night at Chase Field against Pittsburgh in the opener of a six-game homestand. RHP Bubba Chandler (1-3, 4.97 ERA) takes the mound for the Pirates.
Catch first pitch at 6:40 p.m. on 98.7, ArizonaSports.com or the Arizona Sports app.
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Comments
45 Comments
They asked Torey about a Randy Johnson statue at Chase Field. He said it was a good idea, but to take the statue down once a week so it could rest.
If you want a more objective reading of the Dbacks, check out the "Snakes Territory" podcast with Jesse Friedman and Jack Sommers. Sommers covers the Dbacks for SI, and he relies heavily on stats in his analysis. They put out a podcast twice a week. I think their coverage is much more objective than what you get from the local tv and radio broadcasts. I don't hold it against Berthiaume or Garagiola. I'm pretty sure they're paid by the team, which is the typical arrangement for just about all of the teams in MLB.
Corbin Carroll is hurt. He is a gamer and doesn't complain but I don't think he is healthy.
Corbin seems to be flexing and unflexing his right hand all the time.
Giving Merrill Kelly 40 million dollars for two years is incomprehensible.
The money Gallen received makes no sense too.
Hazen's job should be on the line.
Brandon Pfaadt's contract is looking stupid too.
Remember Madison Bumgarner?
The contract Corbin Burnes received was a waste.
I would looking for a new general manager if this season goes south.
is Torey Lovullo too nice a guy? I don't know.