Carroll's Clutch Homer Rescues D-backs, Preserves Kelly's Gem

Corbin Carroll launched a clutch two-run homer in the eighth to give the Diamondbacks a 3-2 lead over the Reds. Paul Sewald preserved that lead in the ninth to lock down his 7th save in a row with his new team as the D-backs went ahead of the Reds by a half a game in the National League Wild Card standings.

It had been 27 games without a homer, but Corbin Carroll came up huge against Matt McLain and the Reds. pic.twitter.com/9fJQgnwwUW
— Michael McDermott (@MichaelMcD8393) August 25, 2023

Merrill Kelly was magnificent tonight, hurling seven scoreless innings allowing just one hit and tying a career high with 12 strikeouts. He had to come out of the game however in the top of the eighth with his team holding a 1-0 lead due to hamstring cramping.

This was the second time in three starts that he had to be removed for this issue. Kelly expressed deep frustration over having to come out of such a tight game in a pennant race, drawing a distinction between coming out of a game with an arm injury versus coming out with a cramp.

"The fact that I'm sitting here for the second in a couple games coming out of a game because of a cramp , especially we're in a tight race.....it's frustrating for me for sure. I want to be able to be there for my guys."

Kelly said that this is a problem that he used to have while pitching in Korea, and he's previously gone on deep dives on hydration and cramping. This hadn't occurred here until two starts ago. The team doctors and Kelly believe the cramping is unrelated to his previous blood clot and circulatory issues and that it's either a nervous system issue or a hydration issue. Both Kelly and Lovullo said that they expect him to make his next start.

The Diamondbacks offense was held in check once again by Reds starter Brandon Williamson who threw six scoreless innings. In 12 innings against the D-backs this year he's allowed just one run. Arizona had runners on second and third with one out in the 3rd but failed to score. Then they had runners on first and second with one out in the fifth but failed to score again. In the sixth they had first and second with two outs, but once again came away empty.

Despite those squandered opportunities, seemed that they would finally break through in the bottom of the seventh when they loaded the bases with nobody out against reliever Buck Farmer. Nick Ahmed led off with a walk, followed by singles by Gabriel Moreno and Ketel Marte. Torey sent left-handed pinch hitter Jace Peterson, who ripped a ball over the head of right fielder Will Benson to score Ahmed as it one hopped to the wall.

Moreno got a bad read and started to go back towards second base on contact. By the time he got moving back to third base and reached the bag, third base coach Tony Perezchica threw up a late stop sign. Marte had to slam on the breaks rounding second, and Peterson was almost all the way to second. Moreno thought the infielders weren't paying attention to him and he broke for home but was thrown out. The next two batters, Tommy Pham and Christian Walker flew out and the golden opportunity had produced just a lone run.

After Kelly came out of the game Lovullo went to lefty Kyle Nelson, later clarifying that Kevin Ginkel was not available tonight. David Bell sent up pinch hitter Nick Senzel, who launched a high fly ball that just cleared the fence into the D-backs bullpen to tie the game. Nelson walked Noelvi Marte, who later stole second base after Lovullo brought in Miguel Castro. Castro then gave up a single to Tyler Stephenson, and just like that the D-backs were trailing 2-1.

In the span of one inning it seemed like everything was pointing towards a demoralizing and frustrating loss. Lovullo was quite candid about how upset he was afterwards.

Torey Lovullo explains what happened in the baserunning snafu in the bottom of the 7th. pic.twitter.com/3BATGAvVUr
— Michael McDermott (@MichaelMcD8393) August 25, 2023

At the end of the day Carroll's homer saved them from an ignominious defeat. The rookie outfield has gotten back on track of late. After a lengthy slump he has been able to make adjustments and had been getting a lot of base hits. Lovullo said that he felt "the storm brewing" for Carroll since an at bat in Colorado when he hit a sharp line drive into right center. He's 9-for-17 over his last five games and is taking charge of the Rookie of the Year race again.

Game two of the series is Friday night at 6:40. Brandon Pfaadt will face Hunter Greene. The D-backs still trail the Reds 1-3 in the season series and need to sweep all four games win the season series and thus hold the tie breaker in the event they should end the regular season with the same record and be in a playoff position.