To say that the Arizona Diamondbacks have been struggling over the last month is an understatement. Heading into Sunday’s showdown in the final game of the 3-game series against the rival Padres, the Diamondbacks had won just three of their last ten games.

The Diamondbacks have also not won a series matchup since I last sat in the press box at Chase Field when they took two out of three games from the St. Louis Cardinals back on April 13th-15th. That’s six straight series losses or ties in a row, counting the current series where they lost the first two games.

The good news for the Diamondbacks was that they got one of their starters back in the rotation. Ryne Nelson was on the mound for the first time since April 18th when he only went two innings against the Giants after taking a come-backer off his elbow, landing him on the 15-day injured list.

And even though Nelson didn’t look sharp, the good news was that he was back, and so was the Diamondbacks offense.

Katel Marte jump started the Diamondbacks offense with a two-run shot (404 feet) to right-center field, scoring McCarthy. Then, with two runners on later in the inning, Corbin Carroll hit a two-run single to centerfield, driving in Pavin Smith and Christian Walker. Carroll would go 2-for-4 on the day, jumping his average over .200 again. It wasn’t a big day for him, but when you’re in a slump, two hits in a game can be exactly what you need to get going for last seasons NL Rookie of the Year.

In the top of the second inning, with a 4-0 lead, Nelson would give up a two-run shot to right-center (394 feet) by Jackson Merrill with a man on. Kyle Higashioka would add an RBI double later in the inning to make the score 4-3 in favor of the Diamondbacks.

Arizona would add to their lead in the bottom of the second inning with an RBI single by McCarthy, and an RBI double by Walker. This made the score 6-3 heading into the top of the third inning.

Nelson would give up a run in the top frame of the third when Manny Machado grounded into a double play scoring Tatis Jr. and making the score 6-4.

After Nelson didn’t allow a run in the top of the 4th inning, the Diamondbacks offense once again answered the bell with a McCarthy RBI double, a Walker RBI single, and a two-run shot by Joc Pederson to right (373 feet). At the end of the 4th inning, the Diamondbacks were comfortably ahead of the Padres, 10-4.

Arizona would add another run in the bottom of the 5th with an RBI single by Tucker Barnhart. This gave Arizona an 11-4 lead, which would be the final score of the game after both bullpens shut down the final innings.

Ryne Nelson got the win for the Diamondbacks. He went 5.0 innings, gave up 8 hits, 4 earned runs, 1 walk, and had 3 strikeouts on 99 pitches.

​So, with the win, the Diamondbacks have shed a little light in times of darkness. They will take on the Cincinnati Reds on the road starting on Tuesday. They are still searching for their first series win in over three weeks.