D-backs fall to Marlins 9-8 on June 28 despite homers from McCarthy, Perdomo & Thomas. Merrill Kelly struggles in a slugfest. Read how the comeback fell short.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
What a gut-punch. In a game that had all the makings of a classic comeback, the Diamondbacks threw haymaker after haymaker but ultimately fell just one run short, losing 9-8 to the Miami Marlins at Chase Field. It was a rollercoaster of an evening, filled with explosive offense from some key bats, but a tough night on the mound proved to be the difference in this high-scoring affair.
Despite the loss, Jake McCarthy, Geraldo Perdomo, and Alek Thomas combined for three home runs, showcasing the lineup's firepower.
The bats were certainly alive and well on Saturday night. Jake McCarthy set the tone immediately, drawing a leadoff walk, swiping second, and scoring on an Alek Thomas sac fly to give the D-backs an instant lead. But he wasn't done. McCarthy launched his first home run of the season in the fifth, a much-needed jolt for the offense. Just when it looked like the Marlins were pulling away, Geraldo Perdomo stepped up and blasted a game-tying two-run homer. Alek Thomas added his own solo shot in the seventh, and Pavin Smith chipped in with a ninth-inning RBI, but the furious comeback effort was stranded at third base to end the game.
While the offense did its job, the pitching couldn't quite contain a hot Marlins lineup. Starter Merrill Kelly (now 7-4) was uncharacteristically hittable, getting tagged for a series of extra-base hits in the fourth and sixth innings. A pair of two-out doubles hurt him in the fourth, and Kyle Stowers’ solo homer in the sixth ultimately gave Miami a lead they wouldn't relinquish. The bullpen couldn't stop the bleeding either, allowing the Marlins to tack on crucial insurance runs. When the dust settled, Miami had racked up 13 hits, and it was simply too much to overcome.
Let's take a deep breath. Yes, it was a frustrating loss, but it's not time to panic. The D-backs now sit at 41-39, still very much in the thick of the NL Wild Card hunt. Every game in the NL West is a dogfight, and this loss just underscores the importance of every pitch. With their playoff odds still hovering around 18.5%, Torey Lovullo's squad needs to shake this one off quickly and get back in the win column tomorrow.
This one stings, no doubt about it. Leaving the tying run on third base is a tough way to end any game. But the silver lining is the offense, which looks potent and capable of putting up big numbers. The key moving forward will be for the pitching staff to bounce back. The D-backs will look to even the series against the Marlins tomorrow, and they'll need a clean, solid performance on the mound to support these hot bats.
