Merrill Kelly’s Triumphant Return: Leads D-backs to Dominant 12-5 Victory Over Phillies

<img src="https://media.tegna-media.com/assets/KPNX/images/e7a6732c-6deb-4f9a-8311-9e9384b6c881/20240811T230804/e7a6732c-6deb-4f9a-8311-9e9384b6c881_750x422.jpg" /><br><p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>The D-backs secured their eighth consecutive series win, taking three of four from the Phillies. Since July 1, Arizona has boasted a 25-10 record.</p>

<p>Philadelphia has seen a rough patch, losing three in a row and 10 of their last 14 games. Phillies pitching has struggled, giving up 23 runs in the last two games.</p>

<p>McCarthy widened the gap in the fifth inning with a two-out, bases-clearing triple that made the score 8-2. The outfielder has been in top form, posting a .403 average over the past three weeks.</p>

<p>Rookie catcher Adrian Del Castillo contributed three hits and two RBIs. The 25-year-old has a remarkable start to his major league career, going 7 for 12 at the plate in his first three games, which included a walk-off homer on Friday.</p>

<p>Corbin Carroll added to the onslaught with a two-run homer in the seventh inning, marking his 11th home run of the season and cementing the score at 12-5.</p>

<p>Kelly (3-0) was back after a four-month absence due to a right shoulder strain. He pitched five innings on 85 pitches, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks, while striking out two.</p>

<p>The Phillies initially took a 2-0 lead in the first inning with Alec Bohm's two-run double, scoring Trea Turner and Bryce Harper. The D-backs trimmed the lead to one with Randal Grichuk's RBI single in the bottom of the first.</p>

<p>Arizona took control with a four-run third inning, emphasized by Eugenio Suárez's RBI double. Del Castillo's two-run single and a subsequent wild pitch made it a 5-2 game.</p>

<p>Nick Castellanos had two hits for the Phillies with Brandon Marsh and Cal Stevenson adding RBI singles.</p>

<p>Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sánchez (8-8) surrendered five runs on 12 hits over 4 2/3 innings, walking two and striking out four.</p>

<p>TRAINER'S ROOM</p>

<p>D-backs outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. exited after the third inning with a hamstring issue. He was 2-for-2 with an impressive defensive play before being replaced by Carroll.</p>

<p>MAKING MOVES</p>

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

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

<p>UP NEXT</p>

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

<p>Diamondbacks: Arizona continues at home with RHP Brandon Pfaadt (6-6, 3.92) starting on Monday against Colorado's RHP Cal Quantrill (7-8, 4.56).</p>

<p>AP MLB:</p>

<p>Arizona sports</p>

<p>Phoenix is home to four major professional sports teams: the NFL's Arizona Cardinals, NBA's Phoenix Suns, WNBA's Phoenix Mercury, and MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks.</p>

<p>The Cardinals play at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, while the Suns and Mercury call the Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix their home. The Indoor Football League's Arizona Rattlers play at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale.</p>

<p>Phoenix also hosts the USL's Phoenix Rising FC, playing at the Phoenix Rising FC Stadium.</p>

<p>The Valley is a hub for major sporting events, including the Fiesta Bowl and Guaranteed Rate Bowl in college football. The PGA Tour’s WM Phoenix Open, NASCAR events, and Cactus League Spring Training for 15 MLB teams also take place here.</p>

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