D-backs Blow Late Lead, Lose in 12 Innings to A's

The D-backs saw a four-run lead evaporate, then failed to capitalize on run scoring opportunities in extra innings.

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The Diamondbacks fell to the Oakland Athletics in their first extra inning game of the season, 9-8 in 12 innings at Oakland Coliseum. The A's tied the game in the seventh on Ryan Noda's grand slam off Kyle Nelson, after an error by third baseman Evan Longoria extended the inning.

Arizona went 0-for-9 in extra innings, with their only baserunner being an intentional walk to Corbin Carroll in the 11th inning. In all three innings, the leadoff man failed to move the runner up to third. With no run support, Scott McGough had the Herculean task of keeping the A's off the scoreboard. He was able to wiggle out of bases-loaded jams in the 10th and the 11th, but ran out of gas in the 12th. After loading the bases, Esteury Ruiz hit a sharp ground ball past a drawn in Nick Ahmed at shortstop to score the winning run.

Arizona got some early offense, as Christian Walker belted out his 10th home run of the season. 

Walker entered this game with a 1.077 OPS against LHP. Picks up right where he left off. pic.twitter.com/MbJyWe9kTK

— Michael McDermott (@MichaelMcD8393) May 17, 2023

Tommy Henry was aggressive early and getting  ahead of hitters,  but then became tentative on the mound after giving up a home run to Nick Allen in the third. After throwing first pitch strikes to six of the first eight hitters, he was five of 14 the rest of the way. His night ended after 4.2 innings, allowing four runs on six hits, three walks, and four strikeouts. The short start did not help the bullpen, who would have to cover 14 outs with a lead.

Dominic Fletcher singled to open up the fifth inning, becoming the fifth Diamondback to get 20 hits in his first 15 games joining Gerardo Parra (2009), Mark Reynolds (2007), Chad Tracy (2004), and Matt Kata (2003). That opened up a barrage as the first four hitters of the inning reached, capping off with Lourdes Gurriel Jr.'s seventh home run of the season. The home run extended his hit streak to 10 games, which he is batting .436 with eight walks, four doubles, and six home runs.

To say that Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is hot at the plate this month is an understatement. pic.twitter.com/hZlSNezUoQ

— Michael McDermott (@MichaelMcD8393) May 17, 2023

The D-backs took an 8-4 lead into the seventh, with reliever Kevin Ginkel retiring the first four batters faced on strikeouts. After retiring the first two hitters of the inning, he gave up a couple of ground ball base hits through the left side of the infield. A third ground ball to Longoria resulted in an error that loaded the bases. D-backs manager Torey Lovullo turned to left-hander Kyle Nelson for the left-on-left matchup against Noda. Two pitches later, Noda crushed a ball to straightaway center that turned this game upside down. 

Arizona will have very little time to dwell on this loss, as they play the rubber game of the series tomorrow afternoon. Rookie right-hander Ryne Nelson (1-2, 6.20 ERA) will square off against Luis Medina (0-2, 8.18 ERA), with first pitch at 12:37pm MST.