Diamondbacks walked off by Twins, remain 3 games back of Wild Card

The Arizona Diamondbacks were three outs away from gaining a game on the New York Mets for the third National League Wild Card spot on Friday in Minnesota.

Instead of moving to two games back, the Diamondbacks let another win slip, as the Twins rallied for three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning for a 9-8 walk-off win. Luke Keaschall, an Arizona State Sun Devil, delivered the walk-off sacrifice fly.

The Diamondbacks remain three games back, having lost four of their last five. They lead the National league with 28 blown saves this season.

Gabriel Moreno hit a go-ahead, three-run home run in the top of the ninth inning to take an 8-6 lead, a potential marquee moment for Moreno and the Diamondbacks. They had overcome a 6-2 deficit and stormed all the way back.

Jake Woodford came in for the save, and Kody Clemens hit his third home run of the game to lead off the ninth inning. Woodford’s night went home run, single, hit-by-pitch and walk before the Diamondbacks turned to Andrew Saalfrank with the bases loaded and no outs.

Saalfrank devastatingly walked in the tying run before Keaschall hit a ball deep enough for the game-winner.

The Diamondbacks (73-75) have a dubious history against the Twins with an 11-20 overall record (3-13 in Minnesota). They have lost nine straight games in Minnesota.

Diamondbacks’ comeback attempt

Arizona fell behind 6-2 after six innings, as Twins starter Pablo Lopez tossed five frames with no earned runs in his second start after a three-month injured list stint (shoulder).

Geraldo Perdomo blasted a two-run shot in the seventh to cut the deficit to a more manageable 6-4.

Perdomo reached base four times on Friday, and he is up to 19 home runs and 95 RBIs this season. He also stole his 26th base, as he and Juan Soto of the Mets are the only two players with at least 25 steals and 95 RBIs.

The lineup overall finished with 10 hits despite Ketel Marte missing the game while nursing a right foot contusion. Jordan Lawlar and Tim Tawa each hit a double.

Tawa led off the ninth with a double, followed by a Perdomo hit-by-pitch. Corbin Carroll singled home Tawa, setting the table for Moreno.

Twins closer Cole Sands threw two heaters in a row that Moreno fouled off, and he challenged Moreno with a third fastball. Moreno crushed it to left field, his ninth home run of the season.

Brandon Pfaadt’s road troubles continue

Brandon Pfaadt continued his uneven season in which he has been very good at home and awful while pitching away from Chase Field. After giving up five earned runs in 4.2 innings on Friday, Pfaadt’s road ERA increased to 7.29, the highest in Major League Baseball among qualified pitchers.

A catalyst in the struggles has been the long ball, as he gave up two home runs to Clemens on Friday. In 15 home starts, Pfaadt has allowed three home runs. In 15 road starts, he has surrendered 21 home runs.

It is perplexing, considering Pfaadt was statistically better on the road in 2023 and 2024, and it has hampered the Diamondbacks this year. The team is 5-10 in Pfaadt’s road starts and 10-5 in his games at Chase Field.

Underwhelming starting pitching, a valiant effort by the offense to come back and a bullpen implosion paints quite a picture of this season for the Diamondbacks.

Up next for Diamondbacks

The second of three games at Target Field starts at 4:10 p.m. MST on Saturday.

Ryne Nelson starts for the Diamondbacks, while All-Star Joe Ryan will pitch for Minnesota.

The game will air on 98.7 and the Arizona Sports app. 

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