Diamondbacks let late leads slip away, drop series to Padres

PHOENIX (KYMA, KECY) - The Arizona Diamondbacks controlled most of the action over their three-game set with the San Diego Padres, but it was San Diego who walked away with the series win.

Corbin Carroll gave Arizona a quick lead with a first-inning solo shot off Padres lefty Nestor Cortes his 23rd homer of the year and longest since 2023.

But that would be the only run the Diamondbacks would manage until a second-inning RBI single. The offense stalled after that, managing just two hits the rest of the way.

The D-backs took a 2-1 lead into the ninth, but left-hander Kyle Backhus coming off a six-out save earlier in the series couldn't close the door.

Ryan O'Hearn tied the game with a leadoff homer, and Jose Iglesias followed with a go-ahead RBI single. It was a gut punch for a team that had been one out away from taking the series lead into the late innings for the second time in three nights.

The bullpen was a clear difference-maker in the series. While the Padres rolled out a deep crop of high-leverage arms including Mason Miller, who earned the save on Wednesday the Diamondbacks were forced to stretch a thin group that has been taxed by recent injuries.

Arizona is still operating without a true closer after placing Kevin Ginkel on the 60-day injured list.

Starter Anthony DeSclafani did his part, tossing 4.1 shutout innings in his best outing since returning from injury. But a hard pitch count (71) meant Lovullo had to rely heavily on his bullpen once again.

Mistakes also piled up in key spots. James McCann was thrown out trying to tag up to third base in the seventh, cutting short a potential rally and leaving Ketel Marte stranded in the on-deck circle.

Blaze Alexander mishandled a potential double-play ball in the eighth, forcing Backhus to enter earlier than expected. Though Alexander made a slick play later in the inning to preserve the lead, the error may have had a ripple effect on the team’s ability to close.

The series loss drops Arizona to 54-61 on the season. They'll get a day to reset before opening a home set against the struggling Colorado Rockies (30-84) on Friday. Zac Gallen is scheduled to start opposite left-hander Austin Gomber.