Zac Gallen hit 1,000 strikeouts, but the D-backs fell 6-3 to the Astros on July 22 as rookie Brice Matthews' two homers spoiled the milestone night.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a night of conflicting emotions at Chase Field. On one hand, ace Zac Gallen etched his name in the history books, becoming just the second pitcher from his 2019 debut class to reach 1,000 career strikeouts. On the other, the celebration was muted by a frustrating 6-3 loss to the Houston Astros, a game defined by missed opportunities and the breakout performance of a rookie who played spoiler, snapping Arizona's four-game winning streak.
The Diamondbacks left 11 runners on base, including loading the bases in the sixth with a chance to take the lead.
The story of this game wasn't just the D-backs' loss, but how it happened. The offense consistently put men on base but couldn't deliver the knockout blow, leaving a staggering 11 runners stranded. The most painful moment came in the sixth inning when they loaded the bases, only for a returning Ketel Marte to fly out to end the threat. Meanwhile, Astros rookie Brice Matthews had the game of his life, single-handedly powering Houston's offense. His first career home run was a three-run shot in the second, and he added a two-run blast in the seventh, accounting for five of the Astros' six runs. Despite a late push that brought the tying run to the plate in the ninth, the rally fell short.
The milestone moment arrived in the fourth inning, a testament to Gallen's sustained excellence since his debut. Reaching 1,000 strikeouts is a major achievement, placing him in elite company. However, the night was otherwise a grind for the D-backs' ace. He battled through six innings but was tagged for six runs, largely thanks to the two long balls from Matthews. The homers also pushed Gallen's season total to 23, a new career high, as his record fell to 7-11. It was a classic example of a brilliant personal achievement coming on a difficult night for the team.
If there's one D-back who remains immune to slumps, it's Eugenio Suarez. The third baseman continued his torrid power display by launching his National League-leading 36th home run. The solo shot was a rare offensive highlight for Arizona. Suarez now has 86 RBIs to go along with his impressive home run tally, cementing his status as one of the premier power hitters in the game and the undisputed engine of this Diamondbacks offense.
While the loss stings and snaps a nice winning streak, the D-backs have to have a short memory. The formula for winning is there, but it requires cashing in with runners on base—something they failed to do tonight. They'll look to bounce back tomorrow, even the series, and give their pitching staff the run support they desperately needed in this one.
