Paul Sewald Walked Off in First Save Chance with D-backs

The Diamondbacks got a quality start from Zac Gallen, had 11 hits, and stole 8 bases, but when it mattered most, new closer Paul Sewald couldn't finish the job in 5-3 Loss

The Arizona Diamondbacks keep finding new ways to lose. Their big trade deadline acquisition that they spent two top-15 prospects and fan favorite Josh Rojas on in Paul Sewald finally saw his first save opportunity a week after being acquired in a deadline trade. After a 9th-inning home run by Christian Walker gave the team the lead, it seemed their new vaunted closer would finally get a chance to secure a win.  Instead, Sewald threw a 91.4 mph fastball down the middle of the plate to Max Kepler who promptly deposited it into the seats to tie the game.

To make matters worse, Sewald wasn't finished. He proceeded to walk Jorge Polanco and then gave up a massive game-winning home run to Matt Wallner to give the Minnesota Twins the 5-3 victory. It's hard to understate how significant that moment was. It's the definition of Irony. The Diamondbacks finally spent big for a closer who then blows his first save opportunity in the same fashion that every other closer the team has tried this year has done.

 It's beyond ironic that this happened. And it only crushed the D-backs' hearts and souls even more. The Arizona closer curse appears to be continuing, at least for today. It was as if the game turned to slow motion as the ball sailed through the air with circus music playing in the background.

Paul Sewald is a great closer, he will get it figured it out. However, for today, it was a crushing reminder and disaster that has perfectly encapsulated the Arizona Diamondbacks for the past 45 days.

Yet, one could certainly argue that the Diamondbacks shouldn't have ever been in this position. They faced Dallas Keuchal, who they absolutely should have teed off on. Remember his 9+ ERA from last year? Arizona did get plenty of hits off of him, 8 in fact. Add in two walks and there were 10 base runners from hits and walks in just five innings. You'd think they'd have scored more than a single run.

The Arizona Diamondbacks made history today. In fact, they were the first team since 1977 to have 10+ hits, 8+ stolen bases, 6+ walks, and score 3 or fewer runs since the San Diego Padres did it against the Montreal Expos in a 15-inning loss. That's not the kind of history that you want to have.

In total, they left 12 men on base. That's inexcusable and only highlights their horrific hitting with runners on base. The team went 2-11 in those situations. They had numerous opportunities to put up some crooked numbers. There was some crushing bad luck like when Christian Walker hit a 112 mph line drive right into the third baseman Willi Castro's glove. However, sometimes teams have to do more than just look at bad luck. They have to overcome it and force the issue. 

They certainly tried to as they set a season-high in stolen bases with eight. They stole all game. Tommy Pham and Jake McCarthy each stole two. Walker, Kelly, Peterson, and Carroll all stole a bag. That's creating chaos on the base paths, but they couldn't make them count.

Zac Gallen had a terrific CY Young-like start, especially in the face of his home run and road struggles. He went 7 innings with only four hits, two runs, two walks, and eight strikeouts. He didn't give up a home run. He was the stopper that the D-backs needed. Kevin Ginkel continued to be lights out with two strikeouts in his lone inning. Corbin Carroll might've broken out of his slump with two hits and getting on base four times. Although, he struck out in a crucial spot in the top of the 8th with runners on second and third and two outs.

Lourdes Gurriel continued to be on fire with three hits and an RBI. Walker showed more signs of breaking out with two hits and the aforementioned home run. Even Carson Kelly had two hits. The team only struck out five times and walked six. Overall, they had a fantastic offensive performance. Yet, when the hits needed to come most, they couldn't get the job done.

One other incident that happened today was that Ketel Marte was forced out of the game with left quad tightness in the sixth inning. Geraldo Perdomo replaced him. Arizona can't afford to lose Marte for any significant amount of time. They will be holding their breath until Tuesday hoping that he won't miss more than a few days. For now, they have listed him as day-to-day.

Despite their horrific 1-6 road trip, Diamondbacks are only 1.5 games back of the third Wild Card spot. They return home against the vaunted Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday at Chase Field. Monday is an off day. They could badly use it to reset their mindset. Times are tough,  but the offense is showing signs of breaking out. The starting rotation is doing far better than before. The bullpen will get back on track. Despite the awful irony of today, Paul Sewald will stabilize the closer position. Hope remains, but for today, this was a bad loss for a team that desperately needed a win.