PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks dropped their 10th game of the season in which they scored at least six runs on Friday against the Washington Nationals, 9-7.
No other MLB club has more than five such losses, and the D-backs’ 13-10 record when they score six or more runs is the second worst by win percentage (.565). Only the 4-5 Colorado Rockies trail behind.
Not only that, the Diamondbacks and Rockies are the only teams with a sub-.600 winning percentage when they score at least six runs. The Detroit Tigers are 23-0 (!). The Chicago White Sox are 10-0.
When the D-backs score seven runs or more runs, they own a 9-6 record, which is also only better than the 4-4 Rockies.
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Friday’s loss was largely a play of the hits from this season with some baffling defensive moments and bullpen struggles that paired with an uncharacteristic start from Merrill Kelly (5 IP, 4 ER).
The offense did nearly all of its damage in the opening three innings and ended up out-hitting the Nationals 12-11 despite the loss.
The D-backs (27-30) have lost three straight games at home to teams below .500 and eight of their last nine games overall. Few teams need May to end more than this one.
What happened in Diamondbacks-Nationals?
The first three innings were a 6-6 slugfest, starting with an avoidable predicament in the top of the first that set an uneven tone.
With two outs, Washington’s Luis Garcia Jr. bounced into a fielder’s choice to shortstop Geraldo Perdomo, but second baseman Ketel Marte dropped the flip to extend the inning. Kelly had thrown 15 pitches to at that point.
Instead, Kelly finished the inning with 33 pitches, and Washington took a 2-0 lead.
The D-backs got it right back, as Perdomo put them on the board with an RBI single while starting in the three-hole for the first time. Eugenio Suarez and Pavin Smith also delivered RBI knocks, as Arizona took a 4-2 lead off Nationals starter Jake Irvin.
It didn’t last, as the Nationals powered their way back ahead in the third inning with four runs. Emerging star outfielder James Wood hit a solo home run the other way, and former Diamondback Josh Bell crushed three-run shot on a 3-1 cookie from Kelly.
The Diamondbacks answered again, scoring two in the bottom half.
Smith tied the game with a double to left, and Gabriel Moreno appeared to have hit the go-ahead shot the other way with two outs. Right fielder Daylen Lile, however, leaped at the wall and robbed Moreno to keep the score 6-6. Center fielder Robert Hassell III previously threw Suarez out at the plate, as the Nationals made plays for their struggling starter to keep the score tight.
Kelly retired the last seven hitters he faced, but having to use 95 pitches through five innings ended his night. The last time Kelly threw only five innings in a start was on May 2, when he exited due to cramping in Philadelphia.
Reliever Juan Morillo had a difficult inning, as he walked the bases loaded with two outs and allowed a Nathaniel Lowe two-run single, which turned out to be the game-winner.
Jalen Beeks allowed another run in the seventh, although a messy route from Lourdes Gurriel Jr. in left field on a ground-rule double did not help his pitcher out.
Diamondbacks’ next game
The D-backs will look to stave off another series loss on Saturday with Brandon Pfaadt (3.90 ERA) on the hill. Right-hander Michael Soroka (5.61 ERA) will start for Washington.
First pitch is later than usual with the game airing on FS1.
The game will start at 7:10 p.m. MST on 98.7 and the Arizona Sports app.
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