Merrill Kelly Shines in Return as D-backs Dominate Phillies 12-5

With Sunday’s win, the D-backs have won eight straight series and are now 13 games above .500. This comes as their pitching staff reaches full strength.

PHOENIX — Merrill Kelly pitched five solid innings in his return from a shoulder injury, Jake McCarthy had three hits and four RBIs, and the Arizona Diamondbacks stayed hot with a 12-5 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday.

The D-backs won their eighth straight series, taking three of four from the Phillies. Since July 1, Arizona has amassed a 25-10 record.

Philadelphia has lost three straight and 10 of their last 14 games. The Phillies allowed 23 runs in their previous two outings.

McCarthy broke open the game in the fifth inning with a two-out, bases-clearing triple down the right-field line, making it 8-2. The outfielder boasts a .403 average over the past three weeks.

Rookie catcher Adrian Del Castillo added three hits and two RBIs. The 25-year-old has gone 7 for 12 in his first three big league games, including a walk-off homer on Friday.

Corbin Carroll hit a two-run homer in the seventh to extend the lead to 12-5. It marked his 11th home run of the season.

Kelly (3-0) was back on the mound after missing nearly four months due to a right shoulder strain. The veteran pitched five innings, surrendering two runs on three hits and two walks, while striking out two.

The Phillies initially took a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Alec Bohm’s double brought in Trea Turner and Bryce Harper. Arizona quickly responded with Randal Grichuk’s RBI single, cutting the deficit to one.

Arizona took control with a four-run third inning. Eugenio Suárez tied the game with an RBI double, while Del Castillo’s two-run single gave the D-backs a 4-2 lead. Del Castillo later scored on a wild pitch to make it 5-2.

Nick Castellanos had two hits for the Phillies. Brandon Marsh and Cal Stevenson contributed with RBI singles.

Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sánchez (8-8) gave up five runs on 12 hits over 4 2/3 innings. He walked two and struck out four.

TRAINER’S ROOM

D-backs OF Lourdes Gurriel Jr. exited the game after the third inning due to left hamstring tightness. He was 2-for-2 with an impressive catch at the wall in left field.

MAKING MOVES

Phillies: Claimed RHP Kyle Tyler off waivers from Miami and optioned him to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. RHP Nick Nelson was designated for assignment.

Diamondbacks: Optioned RHP Scott McGough to Triple-A Reno. RHP Humberto Castellanos was designated for assignment.

UP NEXT

Phillies: Off on Monday. RHP Taijuan Walker (3-3, 5.60 ERA) is set to start Tuesday at home against Miami.

Diamondbacks: Arizona stays home, sending RHP Brandon Pfaadt (6-6, 3.92) to the mound Monday against Colorado’s RHP Cal Quantrill (7-8, 4.56).