​With two straight disappointing losses leaving them backed into a corner, veteran Merrill Kelly answered the call in a way the team desperately needed on Thursday night, carrying the load and delivering a performance that carried his club through the game. Kelly dominated for seven innings, giving the Diamondbacks a strong chance to split the series with the Padres, and his work helped the offense do just enough to secure the victory. It was the kind of vintage effort we’ve come to expect from Kelly, as he pitched deep into the game, needed only 94 pitches to complete seven frames, and allowed a single run in the second inning while striking out six Padres hitters. As the evening wore on, Kelly grew more confident, delivering big pitches and helping turn crucial double plays in high-leverage moments. If this indeed marks a return to the form that made him a trusted staple in the rotation, it could be a major turning point for Arizona’s chances down the stretch.
Behind Kelly, Paul Sewald closed it out in the ninth with authority, extinguishing any late Padres rally by striking out Fernando Tatis Jr. and Xander Bogaerts. Sewald is now 21-for-22 in save opportunities this season, a testament to his reliability in high-leverage moments. It’s not just that the team needs a dependable closer; seeing Sewald thrive at the backend is a heartening development, and it’s hard not to root for a pitcher who embodies professionalism and consistency.
Offensively, Arizona scratched across all three of its runs in the middle innings, manufacturing a run in the fourth, another in the fifth, and a final tally in the sixth. In the fifth inning, Geraldo Perdomo delivered an RBI single that plated Tommy Troy, giving the team the early lead it needed. Nolan Arenado added to the tension with a solo home run—his 11th of the season—by lofting a pitch just under the strike zone over the left-field fence, inching closer to the 2,000-hit milestone. It was a night where the offense did just enough to support the pitching staff, a reassuring sign that the lineup can contribute when it matters most.
Despite the victory, there’s no denying that the offense must heat up if Arizona hopes to launch a sustained run, especially with the upcoming trip to Los Angeles to face the Dodgers looming and the team sitting a game under .500. The good news is that the starting pitching appears to be rounding into form at a crucial time, with Kelly reclaiming his rhythm and providing a blueprint for success. If the offense can build on this performance and the pitching staff can maintain this level of consistency, the Diamondbacks have a real opportunity to get hot at the right moment.
As for the larger implications, Wednesday’s and Thursday’s results suggest a more hopeful path forward. Kelly’s performance is a reminder of what the rotation is capable of when it is fully operational, and Sewald’s ninth-inning shutdown provides a reliable late-game option that can stabilize the bullpen during crucial stretches. With the season pressing on, a strong finish could hinge on continued improvements from the lineup and continued confidence from the starting staff. The stage is set for Arizona to make a push, starting with a strong effort in Los Angeles, and tonight’s win is a meaningful step in that direction.