Merrill Kelly returns strong to the mound, D-backs stay on track with 12-5 win over Phillies

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PHOENIX, ARIZONA – AUGUST 11: Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly #29 pitches against the Philadelphia Phillies during the first inning at Chase Field on August 11, 2024, in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)

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 He 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 games against the Phillies. Since July 1, Arizona is 25-10.

“I had a lot of fun,” Kelly said. “Obviously, it feels good to be back with the guys and be a part of the good baseball they’re playing.”

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

McCarthy opened the game in the fifth. with a two-out triple that loaded the bases down the right field line who scored three runs and made the score 8-2. The outfielder is one of the hottest hitters in the Major Leagues with a .403 average (25 of 62) in the last three weeks.

Rookie catcher Adrian Del Castillo added three hits and two RBIs. The 25-year-old is 7-for-12 in his first three major league games. including a walk-off home run on Friday.

Corbin Carroll hit a two-run homer in the seventh to make it 12-5. It was his 11th homer of the season. Kevin Newman added three hits, adding to the team’s hitting streak of 18.

Newman said the hits have been contagious throughout the lineup.

“When your guys are getting hits and finding barrels, it somehow seems to put you in a better frame of mind,” Newman said. “It’s definitely a real thing.”

Kelly (3-0) returned to the mound after missing nearly four months with a right shoulder strain. The veteran was a key part of the Diamondbacks’ run to the World Series in 2023, going 12-8 with a 3.29 ERA.

He pitched five innings of 85 pitches, with the final four scoreless innings. The 35-year-old allowed two runs, three hits and two walks, while striking out two.

“He looked like classic Merrill,” manager Torey Lovullo said. “He mixed up pitches, followed a game plan and got us back in the dugout to score some runs.”

The Phillies took a 2-0 lead in the first inning on Alec Bohm’s two-run double to right-center that scored Trea Turner and Bryce Harper. The D-backs cut that lead in half in the bottom of the first on Randal Grichuk’s RBI single.

Arizona took control with a four-run third inning. Eugenio Suarez tied the game with an RBI double and the D-backs moved to take a 4-2 lead on rookie Del Castillo’s two-run single down the right-field line. Del Castillo scored on a wild pitch, making it 5-2.

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

Philadelphia finished 4-6 on the long trip.

“We’re not at our best,” Harper said. “We’re not playing like we should right now. We just have to get home and get through this.”

Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sanchez (8-8) allowed five runs and 12 hits in 4 2/3 innings. He walked two and struck out four.

Coaches room

D-backs outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. left the game after the third inning with left hamstring tightness. He went 2-for-2 at the plate and made an impressive leaping catch off the left-field wall before Carroll took his place. Lovullo said Gurriel shouldn’t need any testing and is considered to be monitored daily.

Making moves

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

Diamondbacks: Right-hander Scott McGough was optioned to Triple-A Reno. Right-hander Humberto Castellanos was designated for assignment.

Phillies: Off Monday. Right-hander Taijuan Walker (3-3, 5.60 ERA) is expected to start Tuesday at home against Miami.

Diamondbacks: Arizona stays home and sends right-hander Brandon Pfaadt (6-6, 3.92) to the mound on Monday. Colorado counters with right-hander Cal Quantrill (7-8, 4.56).