D-backs Must Wait Another Day to Clinch Postseason Berth

The Diamondbacks had the right environment to clinch a postseason berth tonight, with an energetic crowd of over 36,000 fans and their ace taking the mound. Despite a quality start from Zac Gallen, the D-backs hitters could not quite get the big hit in the game until too late in a 2-1 loss to the defending champions. With the Reds defeating the Cardinals in St. Louis, Arizona will have to wait another day before they can clinch.

"These are the frustrations of the game," said manager Torey Lovullo. "You build innings, you get into that situation where you feel like you're just one big hit away. You don't cash in, they make a good play. That was a few things that happened during the course of the night that left us feeling frustrated, a little bit empty."

The D-backs had a good approach against José Urquidy early, making him throw 36 pitches to get through the first two innings, but then got impatient as the game wore on. Urquidy needed only 34 pitches to record the next 12 outs and Arizona's only baserunner was erased on a double play. On the night, they had 10 outs in two or fewer pitches.

"I think there were some at-bats that could have been a little bit more mature. We got to keep talking about it, preaching it to those young hitters that make some early count outs in some critical at-bats. I think good teams do that 1-9, where they just grind you down and force you to throw the pitch where you're looking for it."

Gallen did his part in the game, holding Houston to just two runs on seven hits, a walk, and seven strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings. He looked excellent for the first five innings and was in cruise control until a mistake pitch to José Abreu got slammed off the yellow line in center field with two runners on. Initially ruled a three-run home run, the call was reversed to a two-run double. The pitching was good enough to keep them in the game, but the big hits did not drop in as the team went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position on the night.

The D-backs best chance to get back in the game came in the 8th inning. With two outs, they had runners at second and third with Tommy Pham at the plate. Pham tried to roll a ground ball through the middle, but Jeremy Peña made a diving stop to save two runs and ultimately the ballgame. They scored a run in the 9th, as Gabriel Moreno's blast to left center missed a home run by a couple feet for an RBI double, but the inability to capitalize earlier in the game caught up to them.

The D-backs will need to shake off the disappointment of this loss, as they still can clinch a postseason spot with a win or a loss by the Cincinnati Reds. They'll face a tough challenge tomorrow, with Justin Verlander starting for the Astros. Arizona will counter with Merrill Kelly, who will most likely need to go full throttle for the game. First pitch at Chase Field will be at 5:10pm.