D-backs fall to Padres 7-4 on June 13 despite Corbin Carroll's 7th homer. Ryne Nelson's struggles on the mound highlight a key team need. Read more.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a tough Friday night at Chase Field as the Arizona Diamondbacks kicked off their series against the San Diego Padres with a 7-4 loss, dipping back below .500. While Corbin Carroll continued to find his power stroke, a rocky start from Ryne Nelson and the relentless bats of the Padres proved too much to overcome, highlighting the team's ongoing search for pitching consistency.
Top prospect Jordan Lawlar hit his 12th home run of the season for Triple-A Reno on Friday night... raising his season average to .298.
The game started with promise but unraveled in the middle innings. Starter Ryne Nelson couldn't find his rhythm, getting tagged for five earned runs over just 4.2 innings. The big blow came from Fernando Tatis Jr., whose two-run double in the fifth inning broke the game open for San Diego. On the offensive side, Corbin Carroll was a bright spot, launching his 7th homer of the season and finishing the night 2-for-4 with two RBI. Josh Naylor also contributed with a pair of hits, but the D-backs' rally efforts fell short, leaving them with a 34-35 record.
The pitching theme continued off the field as well. The team placed RHP Christian Montes De Oca on the 15-day IL with right elbow inflammation, another tough break for the bullpen. However, the move brought a familiar face back to the big league club: Kevin Ginkel. Recalled from Triple-A Reno where he posted a solid 2.95 ERA, Ginkel's return is a welcome sight for a relief corps that has been stretched thin. His presence should provide manager Torey Lovullo with a more reliable late-inning option.
While the major league club faltered, the future continued to shine brightly in Reno. Top prospect Jordan Lawlar had another monster night, going 2-for-4 with a double, 3 RBI, and his 12th home run of the season. Lawlar is scorching hot in June, and his .298 batting average in the notoriously tough Pacific Coast League is turning heads. While the front office remains patient, the calls from the fan base for his promotion are growing louder with every home run he hits. His performance is a tantalizing glimpse of what could be a major boost for the D-backs' lineup down the stretch.
On a lighter note, the team is making it easier for fans to catch all the action. The D-backs announced a special Father's Day promotion for their streaming service, DBACKS.TV. Fans can get a 50% discount on subscriptions through June 17, a nice gesture to keep the fanbase connected during a crucial stretch of the season.
It was a classic 'one step forward, two steps back' kind of day for the Diamondbacks. A frustrating loss stings, but the return of a reliable arm in Ginkel and the continued dominance of Lawlar in the minors provide reasons for optimism. The D-backs will need to shake this one off quickly and come back with a stronger pitching performance tomorrow to even the series and climb back to that elusive .500 mark.
