The Arizona Diamondbacks had a rough one against the Washington Nationals on Saturday. The first inning? Wild, and honestly, kind of unforgettable. Arizona tried to claw back, but just couldn’t get there, dropping the game 11-7.
This matchup really put the team’s resilience—and their struggles—on display as they try to steady themselves in a tough stretch.
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Unprecedented First Inning Woes
No one saw the start of Saturday’s game coming. Geraldo Perdomo, the Diamondbacks shortstop, said he’d never witnessed anything like it, and it’s hard to disagree.
Brandon Pfaadt, who’s usually steady, just didn’t have it. He gave up eight earned runs before recording a single out, and that disastrous start left Arizona in a hole right from the jump.
Pfaadt’s Struggles on the Mound
Pfaadt just couldn’t find his rhythm. He faced eight hitters, and every single one reached base and scored.
Six hits, two hit-by-pitches, and suddenly the Diamondbacks were staring at a 10-0 deficit. Pfaadt owned up to it, saying he’d do whatever it takes to make sure this doesn’t happen again. You could tell he took it personally.
Historic Inning for the Nationals
The Nationals didn’t waste any chances. The first 11 batters reached base, starting with Pfaadt hitting CJ Abrams on an 0-2 count.
Arizona tied a National League record by allowing nine runs before getting a single out. Players and fans alike just looked stunned—because, really, how often does that happen?
Diamondbacks’ Resilient Comeback Effort
Even after the nightmare start, the Diamondbacks didn’t just pack it in. Manager Torey Lovullo called out the team’s grit, saying most clubs would’ve coasted after falling behind by so much.
Instead, Arizona fought back and almost brought the tying run to the plate in the eighth inning. That’s not nothing.
Key Moments in the Comeback
The offense finally started showing some fight. In the fourth, Perdomo got a two-out single, and then Josh Naylor launched a two-run homer.
Arizona kept chipping away, putting up five runs in the sixth, including a Randal Grichuk home run. They got within striking distance, but just couldn’t quite close the gap.
Critical Decision in the Eighth Inning
Things got tense in the eighth. Nationals left fielder James Wood threw out Pavin Smith at the plate, a huge play.
Third base coach Shaun Larkin sent Smith home, and Lovullo later criticized the call, saying they needed to be more conservative down four runs. That play pretty much ended the comeback hopes right there.
Pitching and Defensive Struggles
The Diamondbacks’ recent woes? Pitching and defense, plain and simple. Their ERA going into June was 4.88, which ranks 25th in MLB.
Even when they score at least six runs, they’re just 13-11. That inconsistency on the mound is tough to ignore.
Bullpen Performance
After Pfaadt exited early, the bullpen actually kept things from getting uglier. Scott McGough, Jeff Brigham, Ryne Nelson, Kendall Graveman, and Shelby Miller combined for eight innings without giving up an earned run.
Nelson especially stood out, tossing four shutout frames. Maybe that’s something to build on, but it’s hard to say for sure.
Defensive Issues
Defense hasn’t exactly helped, either. The team’s had trouble making routine plays, and it’s cost them.
If Arizona wants to turn things around, shoring up both pitching and defense is non-negotiable.
Looking Forward
Despite all the bumps, the Diamondbacks aren’t throwing in the towel. There are more than 100 games left, so there’s time to fix things—at least in theory.
Players and coaches say they’re not giving up, and you get the sense they mean it. But, well, talk is cheap.
Upcoming Matchup
Next up, Arizona faces the Nationals again. Corbin Burnes gets the ball for the Diamondbacks, while lefty Mitchell Parker starts for Washington.
It’s a shot for Arizona to finally snap the losing streak and maybe get a little momentum. You can catch the game on 98.7 or the Arizona Sports app if you’re tuning in.
Final Thoughts
The Diamondbacks lost to the Nationals on Saturday. It served as a tough reminder of just how brutal a long MLB season can get.
Still, you can’t ignore the team’s grit. They keep fighting, even when things aren’t going their way.
If you want more details on the game or the Diamondbacks’ season, check out Arizona Sports.
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