Diamondbacks walked off by Pirates, drop 3 straight vs. Wild Card competitors

The Arizona Diamondbacks suffered a walk-off loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 10 innings on Monday, 3-2.

Brandon Lowe delivered the game-winning single, as the Diamondbacks have dropped three straight games to fellow National League Wild Card contenders on what many players called the most important road trip of the season. Lowe’s walk-off knock off Taylor Clarke ricocheted off the glove of first baseman Ildemaro Vargas.

The Diamondbacks had their chance in the top of the 10th, as a throwing error from Pirates third baseman Nick Gonzales set up Arizona with runners on second and third with one out. Gabriel Moreno, the Diamondbacks’ hottest hitter, struck out looking on the 11th pitch of his at-bat. After an intentional walk to Ketel Marte, Max Kepler — who delivered three hits on Monday — hit a line drive to center field that hung up too long.

The D-backs went 2-for-14 with runners in scoring position, as what should have been a win slipped away.

Pittsburgh tied Arizona in the standings for the third NL Wild Card spot at 55-52, and the Pirates are a win away from claiming the season-series tiebreaker.

The D-backs fell to 4-6 in extra-inning games this season.

Merrill Kelly on the right path

Merrill Kelly dominated the Pirates through the first five innings, shutting them out with two hits allowed. His changeup was filthy and drew nine whiffs, as he used it 40% of the time.

Kelly suffered a rough June with a 7.31 ERA, but he has righted the ship in July. He did not allow more than two runs in any of his five starts this month, and his season ERA dipped below five for the first time since his first start of the year (4.86).

Given the injuries in Arizona’s rotation and the reliance on two rookies to eat innings, it has been critical for Kelly — alongside Eduardo Rodriguez and Brandon Pfaadt — to provide consistency as the adult in the room.

The Pirates started to pick at Kelly in the sixth, and an errant throw on a pickoff attempt gifted baserunner Jake Mangum third base. He scored, but D-backs reliever Juan Morillo kept the lead intact by getting out of the inning. Kelly’s book ended at 5.2 innings and one run (none earned) with six strikeouts.

Pittsburgh starter Mitch Keller threw 5.1 innings with two runs allowed, both on a Kepler double.

The Pirates tied the game on a two-out, RBI double from Bryan Reynolds in the eighth inning against reliever Jonathan Loaisiga, who owns a 2.57 ERA but has allowed runs in back-to-back games.

Pirates manager Don Kelly was ejected from the game during Reynolds’ at-bat.

Tuesday’s starters

RHP Brandon Pfaadt (5-1, 4.43) vs. RHP Bubba Chandler (3-8, 4.47)

First pitch is at 3:40 p.m. MST on 98.7 and the Arizona Sports app. 

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