D-backs Offense, Bullpen Struggle Again in Loss to Blue Jays

The Diamondbacks slump continued in a 5-2 loss to he Blue Jays this afternoon. It's the seventh time in their last 13 games the D-backs have scored two runs or less. They've averaged 2.8 runs a game in this stretch, going 4-9 in the process.

Zac Gallen did not have his good fastball command today, but managed to keep the Diamondbacks in the game. He lasted five innings and was trailing just 3-2 when he came out. It was only the second time this year Gallen has finished a start trailing following a loss, the other time being April 4th at San Diego, and took his first loss in such a start. Scott McGough gave up two runs in the 8th to put the game out of reach for the suddenly anemic D-backs offense.

Gallen's day started off with strikeouts to the first two batters. He then issued a couple of two-out walks before getting out of the inning, running up his pitch count. In the second inning two singles and a walk to the bottom of the order loaded the based for George Springer, who delivered a two-run single, putting Gallen in a 2-0 hole.

The D-backs got on the board against Chris Bassitt in the fourth inning. An infield hit by Lourdes Gurriel Jr, and a double by Emmanuel Rivera gave the D-backs second and third with two outs. Jake McCarthy hit an infield single and heads up base running by Rivera allowed two runs to score, tying it up at 2-2.

A 2-run single...that didn't leave the infield. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/yOV1RIUIf3
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) July 15, 2023

Gallen was not able to keep the momentum going however, giving up a go ahead solo homer to Whit Merrifield on a changeup down and in to start the fourth. It was a high fly ball that bounced off the top of the wall and over.

Bassitt settled down to complete the fifth and sixth scoreless. Geraldo Perdomo singled to lead off the fifth, but Ketel Marte hit into a 4-6-3 double play. In the 7th inning McCarthy drew a leadoff walk but was picked off first base. Perdomo singled again to lead off the eighth, but Marte hit into a force out and never advanced past first base.

Scott McGough entered in the 8th and gave up a leadoff homer to Bo Bichette, and then a walk to Brandon Belt and Matt Chapman's league-leading 30th double set up a sacrifice fly by Merrifield.

Gurriel led off the ninth against Yimi Garcia with a base hit, the fourth time in five innings the D-backs had the leadoff runner on base. McCarthy singled with one out, but pinch hitter Evan Longoria grounded out and Alek Thomas popped out to end the rally and the game meekly.

Gallen took the loss, falling to 11-4, Bassitt gets the win, going to 9-5. Garcia registered his second save of the year with closer Jordan Romano out with a sore back.

The Diamondbacks are now 52-41, and as of this writing hold a slim one game lead in the wild card. They will try to salvage the last game of the series behind Tommy Henry. Yusei Kikuchi will start for the Blue Jays. Game time is 10:37 A.M. MST