The D-backs fell to the Angels 10-5 on July 13, 2025, as Zac Gallen struggled. See how Andrew Saalfrank's return offered a lone bright spot in the loss.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
The mid-summer swoon has officially become a freefall. The Arizona Diamondbacks dropped another one on Sunday, a dispiriting 10-5 loss to the Los Angeles Angels that felt all too familiar. With the defeat, the D-backs have now lost three straight and a staggering 12 of their last 17 games, sinking four games below .500 and watching their playoff hopes fade further into the desert horizon.
12 losses in their last 17 games.
Hopes were high with ace Zac Gallen on the mound, but even he couldn't halt the Angels' offensive barrage. Gallen was tagged for six runs on eight hits over five innings, taking the loss and looking uncharacteristically vulnerable. The game unraveled in a three-run fourth inning, where the Angels' lineup, featuring doubles from Taylor Ward, Jo Adell, and Travis d’Arnaud, did most of its damage. Even a late two-run rally in the eighth by the D-backs wasn't enough to overcome the deficit, especially after a Mike Trout RBI single helped put the game out of reach for good.
In a game with few positives, the return of left-hander Andrew Saalfrank was a welcome sight. Making his first MLB appearance after serving a year-long suspension for betting on MLB games, Saalfrank looked sharp, tossing two scoreless innings of relief. He showed good command and velocity, providing a much-needed steady hand out of a bullpen that has seen its share of turmoil. His performance is a small victory on a tough day and offers a glimmer of hope for the beleaguered pitching staff.
The bullpen carousel continued before the game, with the team activating veteran righty Kendall Graveman from the 15-day injured list after a bout with a right hip impingement. His experience will be a welcome addition. To make room, lefty Jalen Beeks was placed on the 15-day IL, retroactive to July 8, with lower back inflammation. The moves underscore the constant need for fresh and healthy arms as the team navigates this difficult stretch of the season.
The loss drops the Diamondbacks to 46-50, and the path back to contention looks steeper than ever. The offense is inconsistent, the starting pitching is showing cracks, and the pressure is mounting. This team desperately needs to find a spark to stop this slide before the season slips away entirely. The next series will be telling.
