Diamondbacks end dramatic homestand with maddening series loss to Rockies
Since 2010, the D-backs were 10-0 in games in which the offense finished with at least 10 hits and 10 walks before Wednesday's defeat. The franchise is 24-2 in such games all-time.
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly tosses the rosin bag down during the second inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
PHOENIX — Never before had the Arizona Diamondbacks lost a game in which they piled up 11 hits and 10 runs as an offense, but that streak ended on Wednesday with a 6-4 loss to the Colorado Rockies.
The D-backs were 21-0 when putting up those numbers in franchise history, but they stranded 15 runners on base for the second time during their highs-and-lows 10-game homestand.
“If you were to tell me we’re going to have 21 base runners before the game, I would tell you that we’re going to score 10 runs, at least,” manager Torey Lovullo said.
After playing 13 straight games in the midst of a tight race for National League Wild Card spots, the Diamondbacks will get a day off to reset before starting a road series at the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves on Friday.
Arizona went 5-5 on its homestand with a back-and-forth split against the San Diego Padres and an intense series victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers. The club steamrolled Colorado in the opener, but that momentum stalled sometime around the second inning of Tuesday’s game.
Following up the Dodgers series with a dud against the Rockies, Lovullo said, was difficult to understand. The skipper credited the Diamondbacks’ patience to draw a season-high 10 walks, but the approaches needed to be more disciplined with runners on.
On Wednesday, Arizona loaded the bases in three straight innings (5-7) during which they scored one run. The D-backs cut a 6-1 deficit to 6-4 but just could not get that game-tying knock.
“Definitely a lot of opportunities,” Corbin Carroll said. “We should have found a way to cash in on a few more of them. So, definitely not the ending of the homestand we wanted.”
Arizona has been pretty hot-and-cold with runners in scoring position all year:
- Through the end of May, its .836 OPS with RISP led MLB.
- From the start of June until the All-Star break, the D-backs were dead-last with a .593 OPS.
- From the start of August until Wednesday, they were back in the top four at .830.
Then they left 15 runners on against the worst team by record in the National League.
“There was an assortment of reasons,” Lovullo said. “I thought maybe a pitcher’s pitch was swung at early in counts. … We came out of our approach a little bit at a very critical time. You have 21 base runners on any given day, you got to be very pleased with it. You got to finish the deal.”
On a positive note, Carroll hit a triple and his 100th career home run, while Ketel Marte reached base four times. Geraldo Perdomo returned to the lineup after missing a game with knee soreness and provided two hits.
If Carroll and Marte are coming around after extended slumps, that may become the most notable storyline to come out of this homestand, in hindsight. They combined for three home runs, a double, a triple and six RBIs over the last three games.
Rockies pay Merrill Kelly back
D-backs starter Merrill Kelly threw his first career complete game the last time he faced Colorado in May, but the Rockies pounded him this time. Nine-hole hitter Brett Sullivan’s three-run home run off the right-field foul pole gave the Rockies a 4-1 lead in the second inning.
Kelly had been excellent for the D-backs over his last seven starts (2.82 ERA), but he fell behind and was punished for it too often on Wednesday. Two of his three walks led to runs, and the Sullivan home run came on a 3-1 pitch.
Kelly finished with five innings and six earned runs.
“I think any series loss right now is frustrating with what we’re trying to do,” Kelly said. “I think that’s probably one of the most frustrating parts about today. Everybody’s fighting hard to do their job, and I feel like I didn’t hold up my end.”
He threw only 71 pitches, and his velocity across the board was down. His four-seam fastball averaged 90.7 mph, down 1.4 mph from normal. The veteran said he felt fine physically, but the feel for his pitches was not where it needed to be.
The bullpen did well at eating four innings without giving up another run.
The Philadelphia Phillies also lost on Wednesday, but the San Diego Padres completed a sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers. The D-backs (64-58) enter the off day in a tie with Philadelphia for the third NL Wild Card spot, one game behind San Diego.
Wednesday attendance
17,168
Diamondbacks-Braves probables
Friday: RHP Brandon Pfaadt (3.36 ERA) vs. LHP Chris Sale (2.20)
Saturday: LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (2.70) vs. RHP Grant Holmes (3.47)
Sunday: RHP Michael Soroka (2.92) vs. RHP Bryce Elder (4.03)
First pitch on Friday is at 4:15 p.m. MST on 98.7 and the Arizona Sports app.
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Angels sold by Arte Moreno to Kroenke Sports & Entertainment
Comments
64 Comments
A change is needed for the Diamondbacks. Right now, the team seems to be in a bubble where everyone is comfortable, and the environment feels more like a family than a competitive club. While that dynamic is positive in some ways, what they are doing right now is simply not working.
We need to see more accountability and perhaps some tough love. When Tommy Pham joined the clubhouse in 2023, it pushed players out of their comfort zones, which is exactly what this team needs again. Instead of accepting mistakes by saying "baseball is hard," the leadership needs to be more stern, call players out when necessary, and make it clear that certain plays simply must be made. No excuses !
You’re right, the players do have to be held accountable. But think of it this way, you’ve had a boss that’s been with you for over 10 years. You know him in and out and he knows you. You know how far you can push him. And you know when he gets mad it’s no big deal. You can come in late or call in sick. Maybe he gets mad occasionally, but you know He’s not gonna fire you or anything. You’ll be cool again tomorrow. Now think about that boss leaving and a new guy takes his spot. You don’t really know his tipping point and he’s more detail oriented and rigid. He runs a tight ship and will hit his goals at all costs. Wouldn’t you try hard to make a good impression and show out for him? The point I’m making is that sometimes a new voice is necessary. Not because people are unhappy, but because they’re too comfortable.
Name another coach or manager that has stuck around for 10+ years with a losing record. Sometimes you just need a new voice or fresh eyeballs. Not every coach works in every situation. I think TL is good for a young team with no expectations. Sort of a bridge from the minors to the show. Put your arm around the kid kind of manager. He’s not good when the team has veterans and expectations. Perfect example was ‘23. They were a bunch of kids playing with house money. Next year they had expectations and they failed. Do you think teams like LA, NY, Phillie, St. Louis, etc, would stick with a losing manager for 10 years?