On Aug 6, 2025, the Arizona Diamondbacks fell 3-2 to the San Diego Padres after a 9th-inning rally. E-Rod fanned 7, Carroll homered; Ginkel hit 60-day IL.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a game the Arizona Diamondbacks had in their grasp for eight innings, a much-needed win that felt all but certain. But in a painful reminder of baseball's cruelty, a 2-1 lead evaporated in the top of the ninth, leading to a stunning 3-2 defeat at the hands of the San Diego Padres. The loss highlights a bullpen in flux and a team still finding its identity after a flurry of roster changes.
Padres rally in the 9th to defeat Diamondbacks 3-2, dropping Arizona to 54-61.
For most of the night, things were clicking. Corbin Carroll ignited the offense early, launching a solo home run in the first inning. Alek Thomas followed up with a sacrifice fly in the second, building a 2-0 lead that felt solid behind a stellar performance from starter Eduardo Rodriguez. E-Rod was magnificent, carving through the Padres lineup for 6.2 innings while allowing just one run and striking out seven. But the bullpen couldn't slam the door. A solo shot by Ryan O'Hearn tied it in the ninth before Jose Iglesias delivered the go-ahead, and ultimately game-winning, RBI single.
The late-inning collapse unfortunately overshadowed a day of significant bullpen news. The team officially transferred key reliever Kevin Ginkel to the 60-day injured list with a right shoulder sprain, a major blow that will sideline him for at least two months. In a corresponding move, the D-backs selected veteran RHP Casey Kelly from Triple-A Reno to provide a fresh arm, while LHP Kyle Nelson was optioned down. These moves underscore the ongoing scramble to find reliable options in high-leverage situations, a challenge that was on full display in Wednesday's loss.
All these roster moves are a direct result of the front office's strategy at the July 31 trade deadline. Trading away staff ace Merrill Kelly and third baseman Eugenio Suárez signaled a clear shift in focus. While the trades brought back a haul of promising prospects, including first baseman Tyler Locklear, the immediate impact is a roster in transition. Fans are getting a look at the future with new players getting opportunities, but with that comes the inevitable growing pains and a search for on-field chemistry. The team that finished Wednesday's game looks markedly different than the one that started the month.
This loss stings, no doubt about it. But it's a painful symptom of a team in a major transition. As the front office shuffles the deck and new faces try to find their footing, nights like this might be part of the process. The key now is how this retooled roster responds. Can the bullpen find stability? Can the offense provide enough cushion? The answers will define the final stretch of the 2025 season.
