Josh Rojas homers twice, D-backs fall to Brewers for 16th straight road loss
Jun 5, 2021, 6:04 PM | Updated: 6:05 pm
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JUNE 05: Josh Rojas #10 of the Arizona Diamondbacks is congratulated by third base coach Tony Perezchica #3 of the Arizona Diamondbacks after hitting a solo home run in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on June 05, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
(Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
The D-backs lost their 16th straight road game in Saturday’s 7-5 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.
After being no-hit until the eighth inning on Friday, the D-backs came out swinging as infielder Josh Rojas hit a leadoff home run in the first.
A Josh Reddick RBI double in the fourth extended the D-backs lead, until Milwaukee stormed back to score three runs in the bottom of the fourth and two in the sixth.
“These guys were very focused, they were engaged,” manager Torey Lovullo said postgame. “That’s what makes it hurt is that we’re right there and we just can’t seem to close the deal. We’ve got to find a way. That’s all we can do.”
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Rojas tacked on another homer for the D-backs in the seventh that was followed by a double by Ketel Marte and a home run from Eduardo Escobar to tie up the game.
Don’t call it a comeback! pic.twitter.com/vrj4lz9YO8
— Bally Sports Arizona (@BALLYSPORTSAZ) June 5, 2021
The Brewers responded in the eighth with two home runs of their own off relief pitcher Joakim Soria to take the lead and the win.
“They’ve got some really good hitters in their lineup,” Rojas said of Milwaukee. “It’s the big leagues, everybody’s really good and they’re getting paid to do well just like we are.
“When you have close games like these and the other team comes out on top, you’ve just got to tip your cap sometimes.”
Arizona is now 20-40. The team hasn’t won on the road since April 25.
“It’s tough. We’re in a tough stretch,” Soria said. “We have to get a great at-bat and obviously make good pitches, you know. We need to step up and pitch better, play better and the little details, the little things that are hurting us, clean it up.”
Starting pitcher Merrill Kelly was solid on the mound, retiring the first eight batter he faced for quick, easy innings until the fourth. Kelly finished the day with five runs allowed, one walk and four strikeouts.
UP NEXT
The D-backs finish out the series against the Brewers on Sunday with Caleb Smith (3.32 ERA) getting the start for Arizona.
First pitch is set for 11:10 a.m. Catch all the action on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.
