Diamondbacks unable to muster much offense in loss to Rays as team falls back to .500
The Diamondbacks' offensive struggles continue as Arizona has lost five of its past seven games.
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Junior Caminero homered for the third consecutive game, Jonathan Aranda added a two-run home run and the Tampa Bay Rays moved back into the top spot in the American League East with a 4-2 victory against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday.
The D-backs (41-41) jumped on Rays’ opener Cole Sulser with a one-out double by Geraldo Perdomo, followed by an RBI single from Corbin Carroll in the first inning. Caminero answered with a solo home run, his fifth homer in the past three games, in the bottom of the first. Aranda hit a two-run shot into the right field stands in the fifth inning after Yandy Díaz drew a two-out walk.
Cedric Mullins added an insurance run with a sacrifice fly in the sixth.
Ketel Marte hit a solo home run in the eighth off Kevin Kelly, ending a scoreless streak of 19 2/3 innings at home for Kelly. Perdomo followed with a single that he tried to stretch into a double, but was cut down by Victor Mesa Jr. at second to end the inning.
Ketel Marte DRILLS one to center for his 14th home run of the year!
107.5 MPH, 430 FT 🚀 pic.twitter.com/DHBtkkDZRX
— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) June 28, 2026
Jose Cabrera (0-1) allowed four runs on seven hits in his second career start for Arizona, which has dropped five of the past seven games.
Five Tampa Bay relievers combined to hold Arizona to seven hits on a bullpen day, with Michael Grove (1-0) picking up the victory after three scoreless innings while retiring nine of 10 batters he faced. Bryan Baker retired the side in order in the ninth for his 21st save of the season.
The Rays moved ahead of the New York Yankees on winning percentage and occupy the top spot in the division for the first time since June 12. Tampa Bay’s current four-game winning streak is its longest since a five-game streak from May 17-22.
Diamondbacks’ next game
The teams finish a three-game set on Sunday with Arizona RHP Merrill Kelly (5-7, 5.71 ERA) scheduled against Tampa Bay RHP Drew Rasmussen (6-4, 2.62).
First pitch is at 10:40 a.m. MST. Listen to the game on 98.7, the Arizona Sports app or online.
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Comments
25 Comments
It is easy...the Dbacks tell you what to write, the narrative, how to spin it, where to make the excuses, etc. Get free food and drinks. Get access to the players.
Looking at all of the errors in the articles such as...1) stating that the Dbacks are playing a home game at Chase Field when the game is actually at Los Angeles; 2) writing that the Chilean soccer star, Eduardo Vargas is the Dbacks first baseman; 3) don't know basic math...saying that the Dbacks were down by 5 runs when it was actually four runs (5-1 =4); 4) the month after June is August; etc...it seems like the reporters are not doing their best...it seems like they are reflecting the team on the field.
Gee, a right handed pitcher and "Pavin can hit" is not in the lineup.....
Del Castillo as DH??? 0 for 4 - batting .184
Kepler (somehow figured to be a savior) - 0 for 3 - batting .000 OY!
Groover - 0 for 3 - batting .174
Where's Vargas? (.245) .... at least somewhat better
Oh, I just checked the roster ... they have 9 relief pitchers, and NOBODY else to take the field. No wonder they suck..... how about sending a couple of pitchers down for somebody who MIGHT be able to hit..
Hazen has been here as GM 10 years with only two playoff appearances. How many good pitching staffs do you remember? How many pitchers have they developed under Hazen. I rest my case.