Arizona Diamondbacks edged the Atlanta Braves 2-1 on June 5, 2025, thanks to Merrill Kelly's ace pitching & Ketel Marte's late RBI. D-backs win, but face Burnes injury.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
What a rollercoaster, D-backs faithful! One moment we're celebrating a gritty 2-1 road win against the tough Atlanta Braves, fueled by a vintage Merrill Kelly performance, and the next we're hit with news that tests our pitching depth. It was a day of highs and lows in Diamondback land on Thursday, June 5th, but one thing's for sure: this team knows how to battle.
Seven scoreless innings, just one hit allowed. Merrill Kelly wasn't just good against Atlanta, he was masterful.
Let's start with the good stuff: Merrill Kelly, take a bow! Our ace was simply untouchable against the Braves on Wednesday night, carving them up for seven scoreless innings and allowing just a single hit. He outdueled a formidable Chris Sale, who despite racking up strikeouts (including on Randal Grichuk and Eugenio Suarez), couldn't stop the D-backs' timely offense. The Snakes got on the board in the 3rd when Lourdes Gurriel Jr. singled home Geraldo Perdomo. Then, in a clutch 9th inning moment, the returning Ketel Marte delivered an RBI single to score Tim Tawa, providing what turned out to be the winning run in a nail-biting 2-1 victory. The Braves only managed to push across a run in the bottom of the 9th when Michael Harris II drew a bases-loaded walk, scoring Matt Olson, but the D-backs held firm. What a win!
Speaking of Ketel Marte, it was fantastic to see him back in the lineup and immediately making an impact with that crucial 9th-inning RBI. His presence is undeniable, especially after inking that six-year extension back in April. But let's not forget Tim Tawa, who continues to prove his worth. Recalled from Triple-A Reno when Marte initially hit the IL in early April, Tawa has been a sparkplug, and scoring that all-important insurance run in the 9th underscores his value. Even with Marte back, Tawa's ability to step up is a massive asset for this squad, showcasing the kind of depth that wins championships.
Alright, now for the news that has us all holding our breath. The Diamondbacks placed right-handed ace Corbin Burnes on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to June 2. This is a tough blow, no doubt about it, especially given how well Burnes has been pitching. Manager Torey Lovullo recently emphasized the need to 'keep our foot on the throttle' after snapping that five-game skid, and losing a key starter like Burnes certainly makes that a bigger challenge. In a corresponding move, lefty Tommy Henry has been recalled from Triple-A Reno. Henry will need to step up big time, and the rest of the staff will feel the pressure to pick up the slack. It's a significant test for our pitching depth.
So, a massive win fueled by Kelly's brilliance and clutch hitting, tempered by the concerning news about Corbin Burnes. It's the nature of a long baseball season, folks. The Diamondbacks showed their fight in Atlanta, and they'll need every ounce of that resilience as they navigate the coming weeks without one of their top arms. Next man up, as they say. Let's see how Tommy Henry and the rest of the crew respond to the challenge. Stay tuned, D-backs nation, it's going to be an interesting stretch!
