Diamondbacks regain the lead, keep the Twins at bay and win the first game of the series
Over the last month, the Arizona Diamondbacks have talked repeatedly about holding serve and staying in the race until their three injured starting pitchers return. That day may be a while away, as both Merrill Kelly and Eduardo Rodriguez are struggling with the rehab process. But to get there unscathed, the Diamondbacks need nights like Tuesday’s 5-4 win over the Twins.
It was by no means their best performance. Brandon Pfaadt managed just two strikeouts and, after surviving six innings relatively unscathed, allowed a three-run home run in the seventh to tie the game. But the Diamondbacks fought back and scored the decisive run in the second half.
With two outs, Geraldo Perdomo walked four pitches. Corbin Carroll then hit a soft-hit single to center, moving Perdomo to third base. Ketel Marte then hit a slow grounder to second base, scoring the run.
The Diamondbacks bullpen did the rest. After Kevin Ginkel ended Pfaadt’s chaotic seventh inning, Ryan Thompson retired the Twins in order in the eighth inning and Paul Sewald worked around a two-out double to end the game in the ninth inning.
—Theo Mackie
Brandon Pfaadt loses lead with big home run
For most of Tuesday night, Brandon Pfaadt was in control, getting the Twins to score early and giving the Arizona Diamondbacks a 4-1 lead. Then, in the seventh inning, it all fell apart.
With one out, the Twins managed a walk, a single and a three-run home run by Ryan Jeffers to left field, tying the game at 4-4 and prompting manager Torey Lovullo to remove Pfaadt.
It was a nearly identical start to Pfaadt’s last game against the Nationals in Washington. He had a low pitch count but had trouble missing bats. That worked for much of the game but fell apart in the sixth and seventh innings. Last time, he was out after 6 1/3 innings, three runs and 77 pitches. This time, he was out after 6 1/3 innings, four runs and 80 pitches.
—Theo Mackie
Diamondbacks overtake Twins and take early lead
After two difficult days in Philadelphia, the Diamondbacks’ offense has rebounded greatly to open their series against the Twins. Arizona leads 4-1 after five innings at Chase Field.
Ketel Marte hit a two-run home run in the first inning, bringing home Corbin Carroll, who led off with a single. In the second inning, Eugenio Suarez brought home Jake McCarthy with a triple and then scored on a single by Tucker Barnhart.
Brandon Pfaadt kept the Twins’ dangerous hitters under control on the mound. He recorded just two strikeouts, but he went four scoreless innings before allowing a home run to Byron Buxton to open the fifth inning.
—Theo Mackie
Gabriel Moreno and Zac Gallen are about to return
Catcher Gabriel Moreno will participate in a bullpen session on Thursday, a test that could help determine whether he can quickly recover from the sprained left thumb that sent him to the injured list over the weekend.
Moreno suffered the injury on Friday night when a foul ball hit him right in the thumb of his glove. The Diamondbacks didn’t want to risk having only one healthy catcher on their roster and immediately placed him on the 10-day injured list.
Coach Torey Lovullo says it is too early to say for sure whether Moreno will be able to return when he is eligible to play.
“We’ve got to put a glove in his hand and let him catch it,” Lovullo said. “But he’s a tough kid and I think I’m aiming for day 11 and I hope that’s definitely going to be the case.”
Moreno is eligible to return on July 3, the second day of next week’s three-game series at Dodger Stadium.
Moreno will catch the bullpen session of right-hander Zac Gallen, but did not confirm that Gallen is expected to return from the injured list this weekend.
“We just have to keep checking every box,” Lovullo said. “After the bullpen on Thursday, I’ll be able to give you more specific information.”
In other injury news, right-hander Miguel Castro was scheduled to start pitching in an Arizona Complex League game on Tuesday night, his first game since going on the injured list in April because of shoulder inflammation.
Lovullo also said that left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez will likely receive another MRI of his shoulder in the near future and that he will then be able to begin throwing off the mound.
—Nick Piecoro
Ketel Marte of the DBacks gains ground in the All-Star vote
In the league’s second All-Star voting update this week, Ketel Marte of the Diamondbacks moved into first place among National League second basemen.
“He deserves this recognition,” said manager Torey Lovullo. “I want to encourage all voters in Arizona to go out and vote for Ketel – and in the states outside of Arizona as well. He is definitely playing at a very high level.”
In last week’s update, Marte had 608,807 votes, placing second behind the Padres’ Luis Arraez, who had 613,068 votes.
Diamondbacks Corbin Carroll honored before game against Rockies
Corbin Carroll of the Arizona Diamondbacks, who was in town with his family, received the plaque for being named the 2023 National League Rookie of the Year.
But Marte had made up ground by Monday. With 1,183,331 votes, he was just ahead of Arraez with 1,133,342. Third place went to Bryson Stott of the Phillies (931,165).
On Thursday, the two candidates with the most votes in each position will move on to a second voting phase to determine who will join the team and start. Phase 2 runs from Sunday until July 3.
—Nick Piecoro
Pitching duel of the Diamondbacks against the Twins on Wednesday
Twins at Diamondbacks, 6:40 p.m., Cox, Chapter 34
Diamondbacks RHP Ryne Nelson (5-5, 5.18) vs. Twins RHP Simeon Woods Richardson (2-1, 3.26).
At Chase Field: Nelson’s last two starts were his best two-start streaks in over a year. Against the White Sox and Nationals, he allowed a total of three runs in 13 innings, struck out 10 players and allowed just one walk. … Against the Nationals, he used an aggressive offensive strategy and needed just 70 pitches to get through six innings. It marks the first time the Diamondbacks have won back-to-back starts from him since June 25 and July 1, 2023. … Woods Richardson was drafted in the second round out of high school in 2018 and was traded to the Twins in 2021 as part of the deal that sent Jose Berrios to Toronto. … He made one MLB appearance in each of the last two seasons before establishing himself in the Twins’ rotation this year. … Although he pitched well in 12 appearances, he has collected just three official decisions. In his last start, he allowed two runs in six innings against the Rays. … Woods Richardson relies primarily on a four-seam fastball, a slider and a changeup.
Soon
Thursday: At Chase Field, 12:40 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Jordan Montgomery (6-4, 5.71) vs. Twins RHP Chris Paddack (5-3, 5.29).
Friday: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Slade Cecconi (2-6, 5.74) vs. Athletics LHP JP Sears (4-7, 5.04).
Saturday: At Chase Field, 1:10 p.m., Diamondbacks TBA vs. Athletics LHP Hogan Harris (1-1, 2.72).
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