Ryne Nelson delivered a masterful performance, but the Diamondbacks’ bullpen and offense failed to capitalize, leading to a heartbreaking extra-innings loss to the New York Mets.
After a controversial ABS challenge on the game’s first pitch, Nelson rebounded by striking out Juan Soto on three straight pitches, ending with a 98-mph fastball at the top of the zone. The pitcher’s efficiency was on display all night, needing only 64 pitches through five innings with a 58% zone rate and just one three-ball count. He owned Soto, striking him out twice and inducing a lazy flyout.
Defensively, Corbin Carroll made a sensational catch into the right-field fence in the third inning, though he appeared to tweak his throwing hand. He remained in the dugout with his helmet on, ready to hit, suggesting it was just a stinger. In the fourth, Ildemaro Vargas made a diving stop at second base to rob a hit, spinning and firing to first for the out.
A graphic shown during Carroll’s second at-bat highlighted his drastic OPS split in Diamondback wins (1.300-plus) versus losses (around .400)—the largest gap in MLB this season—underscoring his role as the team’s catalyst.
Jose Fernandez was called out on strikes in the fifth on a questionable curveball, but with the team already out of challenges due to an earlier failed attempt, they couldn’t review the call. Later, Fernandez took a foul ball off the mask of Mets catcher Luis Torrens, who stayed in the game after a brief delay.
Manager Torey Lovullo pulled Nelson after 6.2 stellar innings, bringing in Juan Morillo to strand a runner. However, the move ensured Nelson would not earn the win despite his gem. The Diamondbacks finally broke through against the Mets’ bullpen in the seventh, loading the bases with two outs, but a weak groundout ended the threat.
Ultimately, it was Kevin Ginkel who faltered in extras, wasting Nelson’s effort as the Mets walked off the win.
