Padres destroy AJ Puk, putting Diamondbacks on the brink of elimination

AJ Puk turned and watched the ball’s trajectory in disbelief, his hands on his hips. A moment later, he again watched as a ball sailed into the seats in left field.

Of all the ways the Diamondbacks suffered a potentially crippling loss Saturday night, this was perhaps the most shocking as Puk, the best reliever in baseball over the past three-plus months, delivered two straight home runs.

The Diamondbacks managed just two hits while missing another chance to move closer to a wild-card berth, losing 5-0 to the San Diego Padres, who rested several of their best players and started a pitcher they were in the process of drafting had from Triple-A.

The Diamondbacks’ loss, their fifth in their last six games, further hurts their chances but doesn’t eliminate them from the wild-card race, not because the New York Mets also lost in Milwaukee on Friday and Saturday.

The Diamondbacks have one game left in the season, their series finale on Sunday against the Padres. The Mets and Braves each play separate games on Sunday and then will face each other in a doubleheader on Monday in Atlanta.

The Diamondbacks (88-73) are one game behind the Mets (87-72) and two games behind the Braves (88-71).

The Diamondbacks will be eliminated on Sunday if they lose and the Mets win. Under any other scenario, the Diamondbacks would still be alive by Monday, although they would need things in the doubleheader to get into the game.

“Try to win it,” Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll said of the team’s mindset entering Sunday. “There is a game. Let’s give ourselves the best chance to make some play in the postseason. All we can do is turn the page and try to score 1-0 tomorrow. Come out here, forget about it and move on and compete tomorrow.”

The Diamondbacks had just one hit against starter Randy Vasquez and just one more against a trio of relievers, none of whom would be considered among the Padres’ best bullpen arms.

It was the best offense in baseball — a group that will finish with the second-most runs scored in Diamondbacks history — and once again went cold when it was needed most. It was the fourth time in the last five games that the Diamondbacks scored three runs or fewer.

“On offense, I think we all try a little too much,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. “…I know this team wants something this bad, we all do, but you can’t take it the wrong way.”

Still, it probably wasn’t the most surprising result. That belonged to Puk. As of June 23, more than a month before he was traded from Miami to the Diamondbacks, he had made 42 appearances and given up just one run. He was as close to automatic as it gets, and since the deal he had delivered by far the best two-month stretch of relief pitching in Diamondbacks history.

But he left it to Kyle Higashioka and Brandon Lockridge on Saturday, who hit him with multiple home runs in the ninth inning of what had been a scoreless game. Both hit sliders into the left field stands.

“It just wasn’t my day today,” said Puk.

Donovan Solano added a two-run home run off Diamondbacks reliever Scott McGough to extend the lead to 5-0.

Lovullo had relied heavily on Puk in recent weeks, playing once in three consecutive games, five of seven and six of nine earlier this month, but he dismissed the idea that fatigue could be to blame for his problems on Saturday.

“I feel good,” Puk said. “It’s just one of those things. It’s baseball. Something like that happens. I’m looking forward to getting back out there tomorrow and trying to get the win so we can get into the playoffs.”

On Sunday, the Diamondbacks will be in an all-hands-on-deck position. Right-hander Brandon Pfaadt will start, and Lovullo said not only will all of his bullpen arms be available, but so will right-hander Zac Gallen, who did not take a sideline session on Saturday, his usual day.

“It’s all in tomorrow,” Lovullo said. “It was all-in, and we have one game and nothing to do but go out there and do our best and do whatever it takes to win a baseball game.”

Pitching match between Diamondbacks and Padres on Sunday

Padres at Diamondbacks, 5:10 p.m., Cox, Ch. 34

Diamondbacks TBA vs. Padres LHP Martin Perez (5-5, 4.25).

At Chase Field: The Diamondbacks have not named a starter but will likely opt for RHP Brandon Pfaadt. Manager Torey Lovullo has already said there are no plans to use RHP Ryne Nelson, leaving them with few options unless they bring back RHP Zac Gallen on a short break, although that seems unlikely. … If Nelson doesn’t throw in relief on Saturday, he could play an important role in Sunday’s pitching plans, perhaps throwing as many as 50 pitches. … Perez was scheduled to start Friday but was pushed back in favor of RHP Yu Darvish. … He was acquired from the Pirates at the trade deadline and has posted a 2.61 ERA in nine starts with his new team.

Padres destroy AJ Puk, putting Diamondbacks on the brink of elimination

ByJasper

Pitching match between Diamondbacks and Padres on Sunday

By Jasper

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