The D-backs fell 6-4 to the Marlins on June 29, 2025, as the bullpen imploded again, wasting a gem from Eduardo Rodríguez despite a Ketel Marte home run.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It's a story we've seen too many times this season. A solid start, a lead heading into the late innings, and then... a complete bullpen meltdown. The Arizona Diamondbacks snatched defeat from the jaws of victory yet again on Sunday, falling 6-4 to the Miami Marlins, marking their fourth straight loss and pushing their record to a frustrating 41-42.
Ten walks. The D-backs pitching staff issued ten free passes in Sunday's loss, a symptom of a bullpen crisis that has seen their collective ERA balloon to over 5.22.
Eduardo Rodríguez was brilliant. For 5 1/3 innings, he diced up the Marlins, allowing just one run and finishing his month of June with a stellar 1.98 ERA. He handed a 2-1 lead to the bullpen, a scenario that should be a near-guaranteed win. Instead, it became a nightmare. Reliever Jalen Beeks couldn't find the strike zone in the eighth, walking the bases loaded before surrendering a two-run single and a back-breaking three-run double. In just two-thirds of an inning, the lead was gone, and Beeks was tagged with five earned runs.
Amidst the wreckage of the bullpen collapse, Ketel Marte provided the lone spark of joy. He launched his 17th home run of the season, a testament to his incredible consistency at the plate. As All-Star voting nears its conclusion, Marte's performance is making him a 'no-brainer' finalist to start at second base for the National League. He's been the team's offensive engine, and fans should be stuffing the ballot box to ensure he gets the recognition he deserves.
Let's not sugarcoat it: the bullpen is the team's Achilles' heel. Entering Sunday with a 5.22 ERA, one of the worst marks in all of baseball, the relief corps somehow managed to look even worse. The 10 walks issued against Miami are a glaring red flag, showing a lack of control and confidence that has plagued the team all season. While injuries to key arms like Corbin Burnes and Justin Martinez certainly haven't helped, the healthy pitchers are simply not getting the job done, turning potential wins into agonizing losses.
The D-backs have to shake this one off quickly, as they return home to Chase Field on Monday to open a crucial series against the San Francisco Giants. The challenge is immediate and immense, as they'll face Giants ace Logan Webb and his sparkling 2.52 ERA. Arizona will counter with Ryne Nelson (4-2, 3.71 ERA), who will be tasked with playing stopper and preventing the losing streak from reaching five. This series is a gut-check moment for a team desperate to climb back to .500.
This four-game skid is a brutal gut punch, exposing the team's most significant flaw at the worst possible time. The upcoming series against a division rival is more than just a game; it's a chance to prove this team has the resilience to overcome its demons. While the big-league club struggles, it's worth noting the progress in the farm system from players like Gavin Conticello and Enyervert Perez, a reminder that help is hopefully on the way. For now, though, all eyes are on Chase Field to see if the Diamondbacks can finally stop the bleeding.
