Someway, somehow the Diamondbacks reached 10 games over .500

The Arizona Diamondbacks have won five of six games while using their bullpen for more innings than their starters (32-25) and with an offense that cannot seem to find its rhythm.

The Diamondbacks did not score through seven innings on Tuesday against the Kansas City Royals after failing to plate a run through nine innings on Monday. They used seven pitchers in each game.

Arizona found a way to win both of them in extra innings, as its 5-3 victory on Tuesday claimed the series.

By doing so, the Diamondbacks reached 10 games over .500 (78-68) for the first time since the end of the 2024 season when they finished 89-73.

In 2024, the D-backs scored the most runs in MLB. This year’s group has won four straight games during which it scored nine runs in extra innings and eight runs during innings 1-9.

The ability to pull out gritty or at times ugly wins is a trait the D-backs have displayed throughout this season:

• 43 comeback wins lead MLB
• 27 one-run wins are second to the Los Angeles Dodgers
• Nine extra-inning wins are tied for fifth
• Eight of Arizona’s last 10 wins have come by two runs or fewer
• They have the ninth best record in MLB with the 15th best run differential at +2

Arizona scratched outfielder Corbin Carroll before first pitch with lower back discomfort, and he never entered the game off the bench.

Diamondbacks win in extra innings

The story of Tuesday’s game was ace pitcher Corbin Burnes ending his 15-month trek back to the mound following Tommy John surgery. After he delivered three shutout innings, it was up to Arizona’s red-hot bullpen to remain dominant. And it was.

The D-backs kept the shutout intact through eight innings, giving the offense plenty of time to build a lead. The stalemate ended with a Geraldo Perdomo sacrifice fly in the eighth inning, and Tim Tawa blasted a solo home run in the ninth.

With Juan Morillo coming in, the game seemed to be over. Morillo had not given up an earned run since July 17, a streak of 19 scoreless appearances.

But that would have been too easy for this bunch.

Morillo allowed a game-tying home run to John Rave with two outs, sending the game to extra innings with the Diamondbacks essentially out of available pitchers.

Blake Walston, a long reliever with one appearance since he underwent Tommy John surgery in March 2025, had to step up and be a hero to the taxed bullpen, and the struggling offense needed to execute with runners on base.

The Royals are a last-place team, but that was a rough spot to be in for the D-backs, especially when the lights are bright this late in a pennant chase.

They got it done.

The D-backs scored the ghost runner in the 10th inning and brought two home in the 11th. Walston stranded the bases loaded in the 10th to keep the game tied. His 11th inning was more straightforward, as he pumped his fist after recording the third out. He earned the win in his most important outing as a big leaguer.

Tommy John surgery returnees bookended this win in their first and second games back, respectively.

Defense played a role in the outcome.

Second baseman Ketel Marte’s diving catch in the fifth inning with two runners on may have saved a run, just like center fielder Tommy Troy’s diving grab on the next play. A miscommunication in the Royals’ outfield, meanwhile, led to an RBI triple for Lourdes Gurriel Jr. in the 11th inning that ultimately allowed the D-backs to take a 5-3 lead.

There were a couple cracks from the D-backs’ defense, but the strong plays outweighed the mistakes.

With an offense that runs ice cold and a starting rotation that has had to fill blank spaces throughout the second half, the Diamondbacks have needed a reliable bullpen and strong defense to keep their playoff chances alive. The D-backs have committed the second fewest errors in MLB this season, and their relievers own the second best ERA over the past couple weeks when bullpen games have been needed due to injuries.

The D-backs will turn to Zac Gallen coming off the injured list on Wednesday with a sweep on the line, while Michael Soroka will also return from the IL to pitch in relief.

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