Diamondbacks fail to make up ground in NL Wild Card race with devastating loss to Marlins

PHOENIX — The stars aligned for the Arizona Diamondbacks in the National League Wild Card chase on Tuesday, but they failed to capitalize with a 4-2 loss to the Miami Marlins in 11 innings at Chase Field.

The third-place wild card San Diego Padres’ winning ended at eight games, as the Colorado Rockies beat them. The second-place wild card Philadelphia Phillies lost their eight of 12 games, losing to the Washington Nationals. And even the first-place wild card Chicago Cubs fell to the Atlanta Braves.

It was a rare moment with so little time left this season to close the gap with everyone within eyeshot. The D-backs could have moved up to 1.5 games back of San Diego with a win.

Instead of building off a thrilling 8-7 walk-off win on Monday, the Diamondbacks played an all-too-common game when they just could never get the big hit with runner on base, and it cost them again.

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

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.

Because 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.

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.

Instead, their ability to move on and rebound will be tested again, as the D-backs continue to live three games back (in the loss column) of a playoff spot. There are 10 games left, and losses like Tuesday’s will stand out if this team fails to make the postseason.

Starting pitcher Michael 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 without doing so.

The question for the next 20 hours is was this the dagger in their playoff hopes or another obstacle they can rally to overcome?

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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