Merrill Kelly returned to the Arizona Diamondbacks rotation on Tuesday with a performance that mirrored his reputation as a reliable anchor. In his first regular season start since July 26, Kelly earned the victory in a 4-3 win over the Baltimore Orioles, proving effective enough to stabilize the game despite a few early hurdles.
The right-hander delivered 5.1 innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits while throwing 86 pitches. For a veteran often referred to as “Merrill the Mainstay,” the outing felt like a return to form. According to Stathead, Kelly ranked 10th in MLB last year in starts of at least 5.1 innings with two or fewer earned runs (18), and Tuesday’s line aligned closely with those benchmarks.
This return was the culmination of a long road back for Kelly. After signing a two-year deal with a vesting option to return to his hometown team following a stint with the Texas Rangers, Kelly was slated as the Opening Day starter. However, intercostal nerve irritation in his back delayed his debut, necessitating a series of rehab starts in Triple-A Reno and an extended spring training period before he was cleared for the Major League mound.
Navigating the Return: A Game of Two Halves
Kelly’s performance against the Orioles was a study in adjustment. He began the afternoon sharp, navigating a clean 1-2-3 first inning. However, the second and third frames presented challenges as he worked through his rhythm. He surrendered a solo home run to Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo in the second and struggled with command in the third, ultimately walking in a run.
The turning point came when Kelly managed to strand the bases loaded in the third inning, avoiding a potentially disastrous start. From that point forward, he settled in, conceding only one hit and recording two strikeouts over the final 2.1 innings of his outing. His changeup remained his most lethal weapon, inducing four whiffs and only one ball in play.
By the time Kelly exited the game at Oriole Park, Arizona held a 4-2 lead, providing the pitching staff with the necessary cushion to secure the win.
Pitching Line: Merrill Kelly vs. Baltimore
| Category | Stat |
|---|---|
| Innings Pitched | 5.1 |
| Earned Runs | 2 |
| Hits Allowed | 5 |
| Walks | 4 |
| Strikeouts | 3 |
| Pitch Count | 86 |
Vargas Rewrites the Diamondbacks Record Books
While Kelly provided the stability on the mound, Ildemaro Vargas provided the fireworks. Stepping into the lead-off spot after Ketel Marte was scratched due to lower back tightness, Vargas delivered a historic performance. In the fifth inning, Vargas connected on a sweeper from Orioles starter Trevor Rogers, sending a three-run home run over the left-field wall.
The blast was more than just a game-changer; it was a milestone. With the home run, Vargas extended his hitting streak to 11 games to start the season, setting a new Arizona Diamondbacks franchise record. He surpassed the previous mark of 10 games held by a group of five players: David Peralta, Didi Gregorius, Willie Bloomquist, Tony Bautista, and Steve Finley.
Vargas has emerged as one of the most surprising success stories of the season. Having signed a minor league deal to return to Arizona, he fought his way onto the roster out of camp and is currently posting a .381 batting average with a 1.076 OPS. Beyond the plate, Vargas demonstrated versatility by moving from first base to second base for the game, making several key defensive stops.
Bullpen Stability and Road Trip Momentum
The Diamondbacks’ victory was sealed by a disciplined bullpen effort. Taylor Clarke provided 1.2 innings of scoreless relief, while Paul Sewald closed out a 1-2-3 ninth inning to earn his sixth save, maintaining a perfect 6-for-6 record in save situations.
The eighth inning provided a moment of high tension. After a Geraldo Perdomo bobble prevented a double play and Juan Morillo struggled to find the final out, the bases became loaded with two outs. Ryan Thompson was called in to face Jeremiah Jackson—who had hit a grand slam on Monday. Thompson required only one pitch to induce a dribbler, which he fielded and threw to first base to end the threat. Thompson has now appeared in 10 games without allowing an earned run.
The win brings Arizona’s record on their nine-game East Coast road trip to 5-3 through eight games. The team has shown resilience, out-hitting Baltimore 10-7 and relying on a singular, explosive fifth inning to overcome an early 2-0 deficit.
The Diamondbacks will look to cap off their road trip with a victory on Wednesday, where Eduardo Rodriguez is scheduled to take the mound against Baltimore’s Kyle Bradish. A win would allow Arizona to secure all three road series of the trip before returning to Chase Field on Friday.
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