Freight Train Flattens D-backs

It was another new low for the Diamondbacks' offense tonight as they were shut out by the Dodgers 2-0 at home, allowing LA to complete a two-game sweep. The loss was the D-backs 8th in a row and dropped them 11 games back in the NL West and 2.5 games back in the NL Wild Card standings.

Merrill Kelly was outstanding, pitching six shutout innings giving up six hits, two walks, and two strikeouts. He threw 15 of 20 first-pitch strikes, jumping ahead of Dodger hitters who were often aggressive and swinging early in counts. He threw first-pitch fastballs to eight of the first nine hitters, then completely switched it up throwing breaking and off-speed pitches early in counts the second time through.

All of Kelly's good work went for nothing, however. He had to be removed from the game after throwing just two pitches to Chris Taylor in the 7th due to hamstring cramping. Both Kelly and Torey Lovullo confirmed after speaking with the team doctors that the cramping had nothing to do with the blood clot. Kelly said that this has happened to him before and he tends to sweat a lot and might have gotten dehydrated. His bullpen could not keep the game scoreless and his offense could not give him any support.

Kyle Nelson gave up two runs in the bottom of the 8th. He loaded the bases by giving up a double to Freddie Freeman that one-hopped the wall into the pool. Lovullo had Nelson intentionally walk Will Smith to get to left-handed Max Muncy, but Nelson walked him too. With the right-handed Miguel Castro warming in the pen Dodgers manager Dave Roberts let the left-handed batting David Peralta step to the plate with the bases loaded.

The former Diamondback fan favorite, nicknamed the Freight Train, drilled a 2-1 fastball into right-center field for a two-run single, providing the Dodgers all the runs they would need tonight. Peralta also had a home run robbing catch last night, making a statement with his play this week to his former organization.

Meanwhile, the D-backs were once again completely futile on offense. They managed just four hits against starter Bobby Miller and the Dodgers bullpen. They were issued five walks, but could not capitalize as they continued their trend of poor at-bats and poor execution in key situations.

Arizona had runners on first and second with one out in the third inning, but Jace Peterson struck out and Alek Thomas grounded out. Much worse failure and frustration awaited them in the 4th inning. Jose Herrera led off with a walk and Geraldo Perdomo hit a ground ball double up the left field line to give the D-backs 2nd and 3rd with nobody out and the top of the order coming up.

Corbin Carroll, who was installed in the leadoff spot came up and ended up striking out a slider in the dirt near his feet. Ketel Marte ripped a lone line drive that Freeman snared for the second out. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. then struck out and the golden opportunity went by the board.

Somehow, the offense managed to find even a lower low. Once again they had two men on with nobody out in the 7th when Thomas singled and Herrera drew his second walk of the game. Lovullo opted to have Perdomo bunt, claiming that the odds of scoring at least one run were higher with a successful sacrifice especially with Carroll and Marte due up after Perdomo.

Confounding the odds, what happened next completely quashed any strategy as Perdomo popped up the bunt, and Dodgers reliever Caleb Ferguson made a nice diving catch. Thomas meanwhile was caught way off the second base bag and Ferguson threw over to easily double him off. Carroll completed an 0-4 night by grounding out to short, ending the last Diamondback threat. They ended the game 0-6 with runners in scoring position with eight men left on base.

Asked about the double play after the game an obviously angry and frustrated Lovullo did not hide his displeasure about the over-aggressiveness by Thomas.

"You gotta see ball down. Baseball 101......I've been having to defend some of the activities that show me we are not executing on a high level in that area. THAT is what bothers me more than anything. So see ball down, very aggressive. Behaviors on the bases...and it led to a double play."

With the loss the D-backs drop to 57-58, and are under .500 for the first time since they were 3-4 on April 6th. They have an off day Thursday and then will host the San Diego Padres for a three-game weekend series starting at 6:40 Friday night.

You can listen to both Lovullo and Kelly down below: