The Arizona Diamondbacks could not have started on a much worse foot in the first inning of what is essentially a playoff game Friday against the San Diego Padres, and defensive miscues from Ketel Marte played a key role.
The D-backs fell behind 4-0, and starter Merrill Kelly needed 31 pitches to record three outs.
Four in the first 🔥 pic.twitter.com/qqYe3TtOQ7
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) September 28, 2024
Padres slugger Manny Machado hit a sharp one-hopper to Marte at second base, and the veteran infielder whiffed while trying to pick it. The first run of the game scored.
A Jackson Merrill RBI single brought D-backs manager Torey Lovullo out of the dugout to talk to his players on the mound.
RELATED STORIES
The meeting apparently worked, as Kelly induced a grounder to shortstop Geraldo Perdomo for a potential inning-ending double play. But Marte struggled to make the turn and threw the relay over first baseman Christian Walker and out of play.
Another run scored on the error, and San Diego picked up one more on a David Peralta single.
The Diamondbacks, however, responded, as Corbin Carroll blasted a solo shot to lead off the bottom half against Yu Darvish. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. nearly tied the game with a deep fly ball to left, but he settled for a sacrifice fly.
Arizona cut the deficit, and may have shifted the momentum as Kelly threw a 1-2-3 second inning.
Catch the rest of the game on 98.7 and the Arizona Sports app.Â