Zac Gallen Hit Hard in Diamondbacks 8-7 loss to Blue Jays

The Diamondbacks fought back from a 7-0 deficit to tie the game but couldn't complete the comeback win.

Jul 14, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zac Gallen (23) pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports / Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

The Toronto Blue Jays scored six runs off Zac Gallen in the fourth inning to jump out to a 7-0 lead. The Diamondbacks answered back with a seven run inning against Yusei Kikuchi in the bottom of the fifth to tie up. The highlight of the inning was Ketel Marte's grand slam. Eugenio Suarez also had a two-run single in the frame.

From there it was a bullpen game. Kevin Ginkel gave up a solo homer in the seventh inning to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. It was just the second run Ginkel has allowed since May 26th, but proved decisive. The D-backs could score no further, ultimately losing the game 8-7.

The D-backs head into the break with a 49-48 record. They missed a chance to climb into a tie for the third Wild Card spot in the National League as the Mets and Padres both lost today. More importantly for the long term however, they enter the break with Gallen slumping.

The Diamondbacks re-ordered their rotation to accommodate Gallen's request to get four starts in before the All-Star Break. That backfired as he gave up seven runs, six earned in a shortened 3+ inning outing.

"I felt like I wanted to get as many starts in, go out there and be able to do my job. I felt like making [only] three starts was kind of leaving the guys out to dry. I pounded the table to make that fourth start," Gallen said postgame.

His outing began with hard contact when George Springer roped a 99 MPH line drive right back at Gallen who snared the missile for the first out. A two-out double by Vlad Guerrero Jr. was left stranded in the inning.

In the second inning Daulton Varsho led off with a triple, the third time he's done that this series. He scored on a rare error from Geraldo Perdomo. It looked like Gallen would settled down after an inning ending double play in the third inning. It was not to be.

Gallen noted that it felt like a strange outing, as he thought his well-executed pitches were hit hard, whereas the pitches that were more imperfect went for outs.

Four straight singles and a walk were followed by a grand slam off the bat of Kevin Kiermaier. Six runs were in before Gallen had even recorded an out in the inning. He even failed to back up third base on the third of those three singles. It was the most earned runs he's allowed in an inning in his career.

Hard contact was the order of the day against Gallen as he allowed six balls over 100 MPH and three more between 97-99 MPH. They came on all his pitches, notably fastballs, curveballs, and the cutter.

Gallen's final line was 3.2 IP, 9 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 1BB, 1K, 1 HR. He has given up eight runs, seven earned in his previous 9.1 innings. He now has 15 runs allowed 13 earned in his last 14 innings. His season ERA now stands at 3.87.

"I just think he wasn't hitting his spots," manager Torey Lovullo said.

"Just really didn't do a good job of giving the guys a chance to win the game. It's tough to let the bottom of the order beat you there," said Gallen, "I'm not necessarily too thrilled, but feel like I still made some good pitches. I think they had a good plan, they beat me at my game."

The Blue Jays out-hit the Diamondbacks 14-9. The D-backs didn't go down without a fight in the ninth inning. Gabriel Moreno and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. each hit deep smashes to right field, but Steward Berrora, playing in his first major league game, made two outstanding catches. Christian Walker singled, but Corbin Carroll flew out to center for the final out.

In the eighth inning, Geraldo Perdomo attempted to lay down a bunt with Eugenio Suarez at second base, but sent it straight back to the mound. The move advanced Suarez to third, but gave up a crucial out, and Ketel Marte stranded Suarez at third.

Lovullo did confirm that the decision was Perdomo's and not a call from the dugout. While the risky play might have paid off, it instead put the D-backs in a deeper hole, with only one out left to work with.

"I don't stop these guys from making baseball plays. He sensed that the third baseman was back, and if he bunted the ball where he needed to he would have gotten a base hit... I thought it would've been a really good play. We just didn't execute it right," Lovullo said.

The D-backs will now take a much deserved four day break, except for Marte who will start in the All-Star Game, and Torey Lovullo's coaching staff, who will manage and coach the game.

"I told the guys just now to enjoy the break... but start to turn the dial up mid-week on Wednesday, because we're going to step into a tough arena in Chicago, and I want this team to be ready... I want them to go out there and start making statements the way they have over the past three weeks," Lovullo said.