The Diamondbacks secured a pivotal 2-1 series win over the Padres, showcasing strong individual performances and resilience despite injury setbacks and bullpen challenges.
The Arizona Diamondbacks left San Diego with a series win and a cautious sense of optimism. After taking two of three from the Padres over Father’s Day weekend, Arizona finds itself inching closer to Wild Card position. The team flashed offensive firepower, showed resilience in key moments, and reminded fans why there’s still hope this season while also exposing some old wounds that won’t heal without action at the trade deadline.
This wasn’t a clean sweep, and it certainly wasn’t perfect baseball. But if this weekend series showed us anything, it’s that the Diamondbacks have fight. Now the question becomes: can they sustain it?
Game 1: Carroll Sparks the Charge in Opener
Game one of the series was a showcase for Corbin Carroll’s electric skill set. The all-star outfielder launched his 20th home run of the season, becoming the first player in franchise history to reach that mark in each of his first three seasons. He added two triples for good measure, bringing his season total to eight, and wreaked havoc on the basepaths even in a 1-for-4 outing.
Ryne Nelson, still recovering from a stomach virus that kept him out earlier in the week, delivered a gutsy five-inning start. He allowed just one run, struck out four, and navigated traffic with poise. The bullpen, often a coin toss this year, held firm with four scoreless innings.
Defensively, the D-backs were shaky, nothing new, but they held it together just enough to survive. A couple of misplays in the infield didn’t cost them thanks to timely pitching and a lack of execution from the Padres.
While Carroll’s long ball and chaos-inducing speed carried the headlines, it’s his rising strikeout numbers that remain a point of concern. With 11 K’s over his last seven games, and 78 in 281 at-bats on the year, the league may be adjusting. Whether Carroll can now adjust back could determine just how impactful he remains in the second half.
Saturday: Chaos, Clutch, and a Walk-Off
Saturday’s game might have been one of the wildest of the season.
The late innings turned into a rollercoaster. Then came Geraldo Perdomo, who tied the game with a clutch triple after Tatis Jr struggled to handle a ball pin-balling off the right field corner wall. The final blow came on a walk-off grounder from Josh Naylor, a softly hit ball that found the grass and sent the crowd at Chase Field into a frenzy as Perdomo slid into home just barely called safe, even after the review.
Zac Gallen turned in a mostly solid outing, going six-plus innings, but unraveled a bit in the seventh with a pair of walks. The bullpen held on by the skin of its teeth, and while the arms got the job done, it was far from comfortable.
This was a game Arizona could’ve lost. Instead, they pulled it out. That matters.
Game 3: Sloppy Finish Sours Series Finale
With a sweep within reach, the Diamondbacks fell flat on Sunday.
From the first pitch, Merrill Kelly lacked command, giving up hard contact and falling behind hitters. Arizona’s offense followed suit, wasting opportunities with runners in scoring position and producing just two runs on the afternoon.
The defense, which had tiptoed around disaster in the first two games, finally crumbled. A pair of errors that weren’t considered errors in the box score, one in the outfield and one on a routine ground ball, led directly to Padres runs. The bullpen, already worn thin, couldn’t hold the line this time. San Diego took advantage and cruised to a 7–2 victory.
It was a reminder of how quickly things can go sideways for this team. The top of the lineup went cold, the bench bats provided no spark, and the late-inning execution was nowhere to be found. In the marathon of the season, this was a stumble, but one that felt all too familiar.
Carroll’s Evolution and Warning Signs
Corbin Carroll remains the engine that drives this team. His OPS sits at .845 over the past 30 games, and his power is ahead of schedule. But there’s growing concern that he’s morphing into a feast-or-famine hitter. His .305 on-base percentage (in the last 30 games) is well below expectations for a leadoff-type player, and his rising strikeout rate is beginning to weigh down his overall value.
Still, there’s no denying his impact. When he’s on, the Diamondbacks can beat anyone. But if he slumps, the offense often sputters. Carroll may need to scale back the aggressiveness and focus more on gap power and plate discipline if he wants to carry this team deeper into the season.
Nelson’s Rise, Bullpen’s Burden
If Carroll is the face of the offense, Ryne Nelson may quietly be becoming the unsung hero of the rotation. After getting shelled in Cincinnati, the right-hander responded with a mature, effective outing in San Diego. He worked out of jams, kept the ball down, and showed real growth in attacking lefties, a weakness earlier this year.
With Corbin Burnes, A.J. Puk, and Justin Martinez all out for the season following Tommy John surgeries, Nelson’s value has skyrocketed. He may not have ace-level stuff, but his durability and competitive edge give the rotation some stability it desperately needs.
Unfortunately, the bullpen hasn’t held up its end of the bargain. Once again, Arizona’s relievers showed flashes of dominance, then faded. Whether it’s walks in high-leverage spots or an inability to put hitters away, the inconsistency remains maddening. And with injuries forcing relievers into extended roles, it’s only getting worse.
Injuries: Mounting Pressure Ahead of Deadline
The D-backs’ injury report reads like a horror story:
- Corbin Burnes: Out for the season (Tommy John)
- A.J. Puk: Out for the season (Tommy John)
- Justin Martinez: Out for the season (Tommy John)
- Tommy Henry: Seeking a second opinion on elbow
- Christian Montes Doa: Back surgery, season-ending
With the rotation thinned and the bullpen overworked, Arizona finds itself in an urgent situation heading into July. General Manager Mike Hazen has historically been measured at the deadline, but this year may require a more aggressive stance. The Diamondbacks are just 3.5 games out of a Wild Card spot. That gap can vanish, or widen, depending on the next two weeks.
Deadline Watch: Time to Strike
If Hazen decides to make moves, bullpen help will top the list. Possible targets include Washington’s Kyle Finnegan, Miami’s Tanner Scott, or any number of veteran arms from selling teams.
There’s also the designated hitter spot, which has been a revolving door of mediocrity. A veteran bat, someone with postseason experience, could offer a stabilizing presence. And while starting pitchers like Chris Sale may come with hefty price tags, the rotation’s current state might leave Hazen with no choice.
Looking Ahead: Opportunity Knocks
The road doesn’t get easier, but it does get more winnable. Arizona’s upcoming slate features the Blue Jays, Rockies, White Sox, and Marlins, teams all hovering below .500. This is the stretch where a Wild Card hopeful builds its case.
Win the series. Stay healthy. Reinforce where needed.
If the Diamondbacks can do that, they’ll not only stay in the playoff conversation, they’ll control it.
Final Word
The Diamondbacks showed guts and resolve this weekend in San Diego. They also showed flaws. It’s a familiar balancing act, but one that’s become increasingly urgent as the injuries pile up and the games grow more meaningful.
There’s still time. There’s still talent. But patience alone won’t get Arizona to October.
Now, it’s up to the front office to act, and the players to deliver.