Bullpen Meltdown Sinks D-backs in Extra-Inning Loss to Cubs

The D-backs drop a lengthy pitchers' duel late to Chicago at home.

Arizona Diamondbacks right fielder Jake McCarthy (42) drops his bat after an RBI single against the / Michael Chow/The Republic / USA TODAY

The D-backs lost 3-2 to the Chicago Cubs at home tonight, in yet another one-run extra-inning affair. Facing the hard-throwing right-handed starter Ben Brown, the D-backs offense wasn't able to muster more than one run through seven innings. Brown, who made just his second career major league start, set down the final 13 D-backs hitters he faced, and Arizona's offense was silent for the near entirety of the contest.

It was not for lack of quality swings, as the D-backs struck a plethora of balls quite well, but they failed to find holes in Chicago's stout defense. Arizona's first run came from outfielder Jake McCarthy, who, on the heels of walks by Christian Walker and Gabriel Moreno, slapped a two-out RBI single to right center field.

Right-hander Merrill Kelly had a bit of an uncharacteristic night. Although pitching five innings of one-run ball, he struggled with his command, landing just 57 of his 95 pitches for strikes. This was the first start in which Kelly did not pitch through the sixth inning, however his streak of pitching five or more innings in a start remains intact at 33, the second-longest in the majors. Kelly allowed three hits and two walks with five strikeouts, with his only earned run coming on Michael Busch's solo home run in the second inning. Busch extended his impressive home run streak to five games.

The Cubs' offense was also stymied for much of the game, as the two teams combined for just two runs on four hits over the first six innings. Right-hander Miguel Castro allowed a hit and a walk in the seventh, but they were stranded with two outs by left-hander Joe Mantiply.

Arizona remained with just one hit until the eighth, when outfielder Randal Grichuk smacked a pinch-hit double. After the Cubs intentionally walked Ketel Marte, Corbin Carroll came up big with a two-out, two-strike single to bring Grichuk home and take a 2-1lead. Although the pitching was solid outside an rough outing by Ginkel, the offense failed to muster up the runs to stay in the contest.

However, right-hander Kevin Ginkel would surrender the lead in the ninth. Ginkel, who has taken over primary closing duties, allowed two hits to the bottom end of the Cubs' order, before a wild pitch scored Nico Hoerner and evened the score at two apiece.

"I feel terrible for not getting out of that spot, it shouldn't have come to that. But that's baseball... it was just a weird play, and I just feel terrible," said Ginkel, "they're good hitters, but I've got to be better..."

Ginkel said that while he felt he got a better read on the wild pitch than Moreno, it's his job to back up home on plays like that. While he could have potentially called Moreno off, the right-hander knew he needed to be there at home for a potential tag.

"I'll be ready though, I'll be ready again tomorrow," said Ginkel, "it shouldn't have come to that, it should have been a 1-2-3 inning, and I'll take accountability for that."

The game would go to extras, where right-hander Bryce Jarvis would lock down the 10th inning with a double play, but allow a walk and two hits in the 11th. The young right-hander limited the damage, but set Chicago up with a 3-2 lead. The D-backs failed to score the ghost runner in both opportunities, despite advancing Marte to third with one out.

Highlights from the #Dbacks 3-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs https://t.co/6SGHXZaYp6 #MLBFilmRoom via @MLB

— Michael McDermott (@MichaelMcDMLB) April 16, 2024

The D-backs will be back in action for game two against Chicago tomorrow, game time is 6:40 PM.