Arizona D-backs' 5th Straight Loss as Tigers Sweep Them Before Trade Deadline

DETROIT — There isn’t much else to add regarding another Diamondbacks defeat on Wednesday, July 30. The squad once more undermined itself with another mistake in the game that proved impossible to overcome. The offensive line scored only two runs, resulting in a total of six over the past six matches.

The Diamondbacks (51-58) fell 7-2 to the Tigers, marking their fifth consecutive defeat and an eighth loss in the last nine contests, with Detroit finishing off a three-game series victory at Comerica Park. They're continuing to fall behind in the National League wild-card competition, which is slipping further out of reach, although they still have mathematical chances remaining.

"That's certainly not the position we hoped to be in when we arrived in Scottsdale during the spring," said starting pitcher Ryne Nelson.

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Most notably right now, the MLB trading deadline occurs at 3:00 PM MST on July 31st. The D-backs may yet finalize transactions involving as many as three significant veteran players who hold great importance within the team and among supporters.

The significance of that chance was evident over the last three days in Detroit. The Diamondbacks didn't win any of the three games against the Tigers (64-46, leading the AL Central), as they were outscored 24-5.

If things change on Friday (after the deadline), I hope we can flip that switch," said Arizona manager Torey Lovullo. "I’m not sure exactly how it will happen, but we’re going to keep fighting. That’s what I conveyed to the team. Just stand tall in the center of the ring and go all out, giving everything you've got.

Two athletes have already been exchanged, Josh Naylor and Randal Grichuk, with numerous teams potentially interested in acquiring established starting pitchers like Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly, or Eugenio Suarez's strong offensive capabilities.

The Diamondbacks might choose to trade one or all of these players for prospects or other athletes who can address a team’s needs, should the season be considered unwinable right now.

After the game on July 30, there was no sign of an upcoming transaction in the visiting team's locker room. However, the Diamondbacks are definitely open to proposals.

Nelson stated that Kelly and Gallen have served as role models, demonstrating to young pitchers what achievement entails.

Relationships are what you create, and we spend more time with them than with our own families," Nelson stated. "It's not a pleasant circumstance, but it's an experience worth learning from so we can avoid such situations in the future.

Regarding the game, Geraldo Perdomo recorded three hits and was responsible for the Diamondbacks' two RBIs. His hit in the top of the fourth inning brought in Corbin Carroll with one out, following Carroll's double to start the frame.

Perdomo also hit a home run with two outs in the top of the ninth inning, marking his 11th of the season. However, the shortstop struggled during the game when he wasn't at bat.

He was caught stealing during the first inning, and made two mistakes in the same play of the fifth inning when he failed to properly handle a ground ball and tossed an inaccurate throw to first base.

The mistakes allowed the Tigers to score three runs in an inning.

Two outs and one run scored, Kerry Carpenter hit a home run to right field, a two-run blast as Nelson (6-3) exited the inning.

Nelson gave up only one unearned run on six hits, striking out eight batters over 5⅓ innings. The Tigers scored three additional runs in the sixth inning, highlighted by a two-run homer from Jake Rogers against Arizona relief pitcher Kyle Backhus.

We made an error that caused harm," Lovullo stated, talking about Perdomo's mistakes. "At that moment, we need to come together and create positive outcomes. It's a natural part of the game. This team is strong; they have the ability to solve these issues, and they will do so at some point, preferably as soon as possible.

The trade deadline approaches for the underperforming Diamondbacks

Kelly and Gallen were seated at a table within the opposing team's locker room prior to the game on July 30.

It was hard not to question whether this moment might be their final time playing together, as both were seen as key players that teams wanted to acquire from the Diamondbacks ahead of the trading deadline.

After the July 30 game versus the Tigers, the next two starters set to take the mound in the rotation will be Kelly and Gallen, facing the Athletics in Sacramento— if they remain the Diamondbacks after the deadline .

Lovullo mentioned he finds it hard to picture a pitching staff without the two veteran players. Gallen and Kelly have each been part of the Diamondbacks' roster since 2019.

I can't, and I won't unless it truly occurs, if it even does," Lovullo stated. "In baseball, we're trained to take each day as it comes. There's nothing certain. Whether there's a trading deadline or not doesn't matter. You realize how fast situations can shift, and you understand that you can be replaced at any moment, so you operate within that reality.

"I'm not sure what the future holds, and I don't spend much time thinking about it," Lovullo said.

Lovullo believes conditions will improve for all once the deadline passes. The Diamondbacks are experiencing a decline, and Lovullo mentioned that the combination of the deadline and the losses has been challenging for the team.

At 3 p.m. MST on July 31, the trading period ends, allowing the Diamondbacks to proceed with whichever players remain on their team.

Simple mathematics. A straightforward procedure. I hope it were less challenging for the athletes," Lovullo stated. "I wish they faced a different scenario. However, it's genuine. There's authentic emotional impact involved, and I'm aware each team room is experiencing this.

On July 31, which is a rest day with no games scheduled, Lovullo appreciates that the team doesn’t have to compete and can take time to observe and remain patient. This would happen naturally on a regular game day within the clubhouse, he mentioned.

"I believe it might be best that we aren't playing, considering the current state where we're struggling with our baseball performance," Lovullo stated. He has scheduled a team outing for July 31.

Suarez returns to lineup

Suarez, who sat out the match on July 29 following an injury to his right index finger caused by a pitch in the ninth inning on July 28, returned to the starting line-up as the designated hitter on July 30.

If the game had been close, Suarez could have come in as a substitute hitter in the 12-2 defeat from July 29, according to Lovullo. Suarez wasn't using any protection on his finger or hand, yet he swung the bat and stated he felt ready to play.

Suarez underwent three separate bone scans of his finger, but none detected a fractured bone.

In what may be his final plate appearance as a member of the Diamondbacks, Suarez hit a double with two outs in the ninth inning.

Coming up

July 31: Off.

Aug. 1: At the game, at 7:05 p.m., Diamondbacks right-handed pitcher Merrill Kelly (9-6, 3.22) faces Oakland lefty Jacob Lopez (3-6, 4.29).

Aug. 2: At Oakland, 7:05 p.m., Diamondbacks right-handed pitcher Zac Gallen (7-12, 5.60)* faces Athletics' righty J.T. Ginn (2-2, 3.89)

Aug. 3: At the game, at 1:05 p.m., the Diamondbacks' left-handed pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez (3-7, 5.63 ERA) faces off against the Athletics' lefty J.P. Sears (7-9, 4.95 ERA).

(*subject to change)

This piece was first published on Arizona Republic: The Arizona Diamondbacks suffer their fifth consecutive loss, getting swept by the Detroit Tigers as the trading deadline approaches.