D-backs beat Pirates 1-0 on July 26 in an 11-inning thriller. Ryne Nelson & the bullpen threw a combined one-hitter to outlast Pittsburgh. See the highlights!
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
In one of the most tense and brilliant pitching displays of the season, the Arizona Diamondbacks outlasted the Pittsburgh Pirates 1-0 in an 11-inning marathon. It was a night of milestones, defensive gems, and front-office maneuvering, all punctuated by a single, perfectly executed sacrifice fly from the unlikeliest of heroes.
Three Arizona pitchers—Ryne Nelson, Anthony DeSclafani, and Kevin Ginkel—combined to allow just a single hit over 11 tense innings.
From the first pitch, this game felt different. Ryne Nelson was absolutely masterful, carving through the Pirates' lineup for six innings and allowing just one baserunner—a triple by Tommy Pham in the second inning. That was it. The Pirates, decked out in throwback uniforms to honor Dave Parker, couldn't touch him. Anthony DeSclafani picked up right where Nelson left off, delivering four perfect innings of relief to push the scoreless duel into extras. The bullpen's dominance culminated in the 11th, when Kevin Ginkel stranded the go-ahead run on third, thanks in part to a spectacular diving catch by Lourdes Gurriel Jr., to lock down his third save and a historic team performance.
While the pitchers were dealing, second baseman Ketel Marte quietly made history, becoming just the third player to appear in 1,000 games for the Diamondbacks, joining franchise legends Luis Gonzalez and Paul Goldschmidt. It's a testament to his durability and importance to this club. And on his milestone night, the game's biggest moment fell to Eugenio Suárez. With Corbin Carroll on third in the bottom of the 11th, Suárez lifted a fly ball deep enough to score the winning run, providing a storybook ending to a game defined by zeroes.
The drama on the field was matched by a flurry of activity off it. The team designated reliever Trevor Richards for assignment while making a series of moves involving Triple-A Reno. Left-hander Brandyn Garcia was called up, only to be optioned back down shortly after, making way for the recall of outfielder Tristin English and left fielder Jorge Barrosa. These moves signal a front office urgently seeking solutions, shuffling the deck to find better bullpen depth and more offensive flexibility as they navigate injuries and performance slumps.
It's impossible to ignore the context surrounding Eugenio Suárez's game-winning sacrifice fly. As one of the team's most prominent names in trade speculation, every big moment is magnified. Did his clutch performance increase his value to potential suitors, or did it serve as a reminder to the D-backs' front office of the veteran presence he provides? His heroics couldn't have come at a more poignant time, potentially complicating the team's decisions as the trade deadline rapidly approaches.
With a dramatic win in the books and the roster in flux, all eyes now turn to the front office. Will Suárez's heroics keep him in Sedona Red, or was it a final, thrilling farewell? The next few days will define the Diamondbacks' path forward as the trade deadline looms large.
