​Sep 18, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; A general view as Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez (57) infielder Pavin Smith (26) and catcher Gabriel Moreno (14) meet on the mound during the first inning of a game against the New York Yankees at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-Imagn ImagesPHOENIX — It was another stinger in the desert Friday, as the Arizona Diamondbacks dropped their first game of a three-game set to the New York Yankees, 9-2, further pushing themselves out of postseason contention.Sep 18, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez (57) catches a ball thrown back from home base during the first inning of a game against the New York Yankees at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-Imagn ImagesIt wasn’t the D-Backs’ night from the very start, with starter Eduardo Rodriguez having an unideal first inning after giving up five runs to the Yankees. Despite finding more control over the next few innings into the sixth, the left-hander gave up a few more solo home runs to put the game out of reach.Zac Gallen appeared in relief for the first time in his career in the seventh inning, pitching three innings, striking out two and giving up two runs, only one of which was earned.Sep 18, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll (7) celebrates with infielder Geraldo Perdomo (2) after hitting a home run in the second inning of a game against the New York Yankees at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-Imagn ImagesOn the other side of the ball, the offense did not find many answers to New York’s Gerrit Cole. Cole pitched through the sixth inning, striking out six and giving up a two-run home run to Diamondbacks’ Corbin Carroll in the second inning. Those would be the only runs Arizona would score in the loss.Now, the Snakes are five games back of the San Diego Padres for the final National League wild-card spot after the Padres’ win over the Miami Marlins. With only eight games remaining on their schedule, the D-Backs would need to be perfect and mount a historic comeback if they want to be within three games of the final wild-card spot come the series in San Diego.So, is it over for the Diamondbacks? Manager Torey Lovullo doesn’t think so.Sep 18, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Ben Rice (22) celebrates with infielder Amed Rosario (14) and outfielder Spencer Jones (78) after hitting a home run in the third inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-Imagn Images“I’m going to say there’s time. There’s always time and I can’t worry about that,” Lovullo said postgame, according to Diamondbacks on SI. “Until there’s that little ‘E’ next to our name, I’m going to say we got time. And we can do anything we want. We just got to play our game first and foremost. That’s step one: play our game, do what we do best and then see what happens.”Statistical