It’s hard to believe that just a few weeks ago, the Diamondbacks’ rotation was in a historic slump. Through May 1, Arizona’s starters had posted a staggering 11.08 ERA over 39 innings across two turns through the rotation, allowing 67 hits and 48 earned runs. Manager Torey Lovullo called an unusual team meeting in Chicago, letting the entire group know exactly what was on his mind. “It was a one-way conversation,” he said ominously.
Whatever was said clearly worked. Since then, the rotation has been dominant. In seven consecutive starts, each pitcher has gone at least six innings, allowing one run or fewer in all but one. Over that stretch, the staff has posted a 1.51 ERA across 47.2 innings, with 40 strikeouts and only 15 walks. Yet the team is just 4-3 in those games, largely because the offense has gone cold.
Friday night’s 1-0 victory over the Texas Rangers was the latest example. Michael Soroka tossed 6.1 scoreless innings, allowing just five hits and striking out five. The only run came in the first inning when Corbin Carroll doubled and Geraldo Perdomo followed with an RBI double. That was all the scoring the D-backs would get, but it was enough.
The Rangers had a chance to answer in the bottom of the first, putting runners on second and third with one out. Soroka struck out Josh Jung to escape the jam and then retired 11 straight batters. He needed 23 pitches in the first inning but settled into a rhythm, needing only 13, 12, 6, and 8 pitches in the next four frames. He was pulled after 89 pitches with one out in the seventh, a move that may have been designed to keep him fresh for the long season.
The bullpen took over from there. Brandyn Garcia finished the seventh, Taylor Clarke worked a clean eighth (also picking off a runner at first), and Paul Sewald recorded his ninth save of the season, matching Brad Boxberger’s 2018 mark for saves in the first 40 games. Sewald hit Corey Seager with a pitch with two outs in the ninth, but a harmless fly ball ended the game.
The D-backs’ offense managed just six hits and two walks. Nolan Arenado and Geraldo Perdomo each had two hits, while Corbin Carroll doubled and walked twice. The team left the bases loaded in the eighth when Jose Fernandez struck out and Ildemaro Vargas grounded out. But the pitching and defense made the early run stand up.
For the season, Arizona is now 20-20, on pace for an 81-81 finish. They’ve already won four games when scoring two runs or fewer, compared to just five all of last season and two in 2024. Conversely, they’re 12-1 when scoring more than five runs, a stark improvement from last year’s inconsistency.
The same two teams meet again Saturday. Zac Gallen takes the mound for Arizona, with first pitch at 5:05 p.m. in Texas. The question remains: can the offense wake up, and can the rotation continue its remarkable resurgence?
