Merrill Kelly Shines with 7 Innings as Diamondbacks Edge Orioles 4-3

PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks snapped a three-game losing streak with a thrilling 4-3 victory against the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday night, buoyed by a strong pitching performance from Merrill Kelly and a notable home run from Corbin Carroll.

After a shaky start that saw Kelly allow a two-run single to Cedric Mullins in the first inning, he regained his composure and pitched into the seventh. His efforts included retiring 12 consecutive batters, showcasing his resilience. Kelly’s performance ultimately earned him his second win of the season, despite the interruption caused by his ejection following an argument over a check swing call.

Carroll’s solo home run off Charlie Morton in the third inning marked his fourth of the season and significantly contributed to Arizona’s offensive push. Josh Naylor further boosted the team’s efforts with a two-run double that extended the lead to 4-2 in the fifth inning.

Morton’s struggles continued as he allowed at least four runs in each of his first three starts. In this outing, he allowed four runs on four hits in five innings while issuing five walks. As the game progressed, the intensity heightened when Baltimore’s Jorge Mateo attempted to steal two bases in the eighth, only to be tagged out during a rundown.

A key highlight of the game was Carroll’s on-base streak, now at 12 games, marking a significant achievement for the Diamondbacks and the longest such run since Josh Rojas in 2022. The following matchup will see Orioles right-hander Dean Kremer going against Diamondbacks’ Brandon Pfaadt in the series finale.

The Diamondbacks’ victory serves as a vital momentum shift as they look to solidify their position in the competitive MLB landscape.