Record 8-9. Change on 2025: +0.5. 5-inning record: 4-11-2.
The pitching was on point for both teams this afternoon. For Arizona, that meant starting with three perfect innings from Zac Gallen, who struck out a trio as he retired all nine batters faced. It took him 41 pitches to get there, and was probably the best start from a D-backs’ pitcher this spring. After him, Juan Morillo put the first two on base, before retiring the next three. Andrew Hoffmann’s zero ERA ended as he allowed a run over 1.2 innings, and it probably would have been worse but for the Mariners
running into two outs on the basepaths. Among the “known” names, Taylor Clarke also pitched a scoreless frame.
Not much doing on offense, the Diamondbacks being held to six hits and two walks. The first Arizona run crossed the plate in the fourth, Pavin Smith singling home Jorge Barrosa, who had doubled to lead off the inning. Ivan Melendez had the D-backs’ only other extra-base hit, also a double. That was it until the bottom of the ninth, where two singles around a walk gave Arizona a walk-off win, Adrian Rodriguez driving home Alexander Benua. I’d be more excited, honestly, if I knew much about either player. Anyway, five ABS challenges on the afternoon, three of which were successful.
Tomorrow, it’s back over to the West side for the Diamondbacks, who will be taking on the Dodgers at Camelback Ranch. It’s a 1:05 pm first pitch, with Brandon Pfaadt starting. And with that, I’ll cut this short, and go back to celebrating Britain’s victory over Brazil, sealing their participation in the 2029 WBC, while I wait for USA/Mexico to kick off! Feel free to use this as a GDT for that if you’re watching.
