It was an adventure!
The D-backs needed to win this game.
The following table compares recent win-loss records for three periods: Good vibes from May 14 to 19 (good vibes!), May 20 to June 5 (mixed vibes with D-backs having a four-game win streak to start June), and June 6-8 (stumbling vibes). Note the remarkable similarities.
Data from Baseball Reference.
A sweep by either team would break the similarity. A sweep would be an important flag providing insight to which team might strongly contend for a berth to the playoffs!
“I think we can be better….” — Alek Thomas, June 2025
The Early Innings.
First Inning: Corbin Carroll with a homer on first pitch of the game. Carroll’s homer added 9.8% Win Expectancy
Second Inning: Good to see: Merrill Kelly with his first strikeout, and the Diamondbacks with their first executed double play of the game.
Third Inning: Merrill Kelly struck out Two more batters in the third! He had accumulated 15.8% WPA.
Fourth Inning: Merrill Kelly with his 4th strikeout in the 1-2-3 fourth inning! He had accumulated 22.0% WPA.
Fifth Inning: Two more strikeouts! Merrill Kelly now has a 7-game streak of striking out at least 6 batters. His streak of 7 games tied him with Paul Skenes, Chris Sales, and Garrett Crochet for the 4th longest streak this season. He had accumulated 29.0% WPA
With an RBI single, Ketel Marte extended his 21-game on-base streak (hit, walk, or hit-by-pitch)! The Diamondback lead the game by 2-0. Eugenio Suarez hit a homer in each of his last two games. In the fifth inning of today’s game, he struck out with bases loaded.
Sixth Inning: Merrill Kelly with his 7th strikeout, and he left 2 runners stranded. He had accumulated 35.6% WPA.
Bullpen Innings (fluke injury & ninth inning blowup).
Seventh Inning: Kyle Backhus replaced Merrill Kelly. Ryan Thompson entered with 2 outs, runners on first and third. And the two runners were standed. No change: The Diamondback lead the game by 2-0.
Naylor line-drive double scores Geraldo Perdomo from first base. After an impressively long foul ball, Gurriel with an RBI! Now, the Diamondbacks lead 4-0.
Eighth Inning: Shelby Miller in the game. He is fresh, not having pitched since 5 June. To end the half-inning, Josh Naylor made an amazing unassisted double play at first base.
No insurance runs were scored, despite the fact that the Diamondbacks scored 26.5% of their runs in the eighth and ninth innings. No change: Diamondbacks lead 4-0.
The Ninth Inning: Justin Martinez in the game. He is fresh, not having pitched since 4 June. He struck out the first two batters. He walks the third batter, and after two pitches to the fourth batter, he leaves the game.
If Justin Martinez is injured, it would seriously hurt the Diamondbacks!
Jeff Brigham replaced Justin Martinez with 2 outs, runner on second base. A base hit and the Mariners score their first run. Now, Diamondbacks lead 4-1. Another base hit and the Diamondbacks lead 4-2. Tying run at the plate.
Former Diamondback Dominic Canzone, full count, hits a 450 foot homer to tie the game.
Juan Morillo replaced Jeff Brigham with two outs, bases empty, tie game. He allowed a single before the final out.
Josh Naylor hit a mighty fly – almost a walkoff! Extra innings!
The Tenth Inning: Juan Morillo starts the tenth inning. Three up, three down, ghost runner never left second base. In two innings, his WPA was 37.7% WPA. Tie game.
Tim Tawa with a sac bunt got the ghost runner to third base. A fielders choice and the ghost runner was out at home.
The Eleventh Inning: Jalen Beeks starts the eleventh inning. The Mariners did not score any runs. Tie Game.
Opportunity knocks for Josh Naylor. Bases loaded, one out in the bottom of the 11th. Josh Naylor hit a walk off grand slam!
This season, the Diamondbacks improved their record in extra inning games to 3 wins and 5 losses.
The Diamondbacks Win.
The Diamondbacks continue to ride their ocean wave towards a playoff berth. Go Diamondbacks!
Comments of the Game.
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AZ Snake Pit.
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Bells and Whistles.
Courtesy of FanGraphs.
Pitchers who were stars:
Courtesy of FanGraphs.
Batters who were stars:
Courtesy of FanGraphs.