The Arizona Diamondbacks couldn’t capitalize on early momentum Thursday afternoon at Chase Field as the Pittsburgh Pirates used timely hitting and strong pitching to secure a 4-2 victory and take the three-game series. Arizona dropped to 17-19 on the season, while Pittsburgh improved to 21-17 after claiming the rubber match in front of 21,827 fans under the closed roof in downtown Phoenix.

The game started with fireworks from Pittsburgh second baseman Brandon Lowe, who crushed a solo home run to right field in the top of the first inning. It marked Lowe’s 10th homer of the season and his second consecutive game homering in his first at-bat, immediately putting Arizona behind 1-0.

Arizona answered quickly in the bottom half of the inning. Geraldo Perdomo worked a leadoff walk before Adrian Del Castillo delivered an RBI single to right field to tie the game at 1-1. Del Castillo continued to provide solid production in the middle of the Diamondbacks lineup and gave Arizona early life offensively.

After several quiet innings from both offenses, Corbin Carroll electrified the crowd in the third inning with a towering solo home run into the Chase Field pool area in right-center field. Carroll’s blast gave Arizona a 2-1 lead and showcased the superstar outfielder’s continued power surge this season.

Unfortunately for Arizona, the lead would not last long.

Pirates starter Mitch Keller settled in after the early damage and began shutting down the Diamondbacks offense. Arizona managed only five total hits on the afternoon and struggled to generate consistent pressure against Pittsburgh pitching. Keller improved to 4-1 on the season after delivering another quality outing.

The turning point came in the top of the fifth inning against Zac Gallen. Brandon Lowe started the rally with a single before Bryan Reynolds drew a walk. Ryan O’Hearn then lined an RBI single to right field to tie the game at 2-2. Moments later, Spencer Horwitz added another RBI single to give Pittsburgh a 3-2 advantage.

Pittsburgh added insurance in the sixth inning when Joey Bart launched a solo homer to left field, extending the Pirates lead to 4-2. Bart’s second homer of the season proved to be the final blow Arizona could not overcome.

Arizona had a late opportunity in the eighth inning after Corbin Carroll singled to keep the inning alive, but Pittsburgh reliever Isaac Mattson struck out pinch hitter Nolan Arenado swinging to end the threat.

The Pirates bullpen slammed the door from there. Gregory Soto worked a clean ninth inning, striking out Jorge Barrosa to end the game and earn his third save of the season.

Corbin Carroll provided one of the few offensive bright spots for Arizona, finishing with the solo homer and a late single. Adrian Del Castillo also contributed an RBI knock in the first inning, but the Diamondbacks offense could never fully recover after Pittsburgh’s fifth-inning surge.

Arizona now turns its attention to a three-game home series against the New York Mets beginning Friday night at Chase Field. The projected pitching matchups include Ryne Nelson versus Nolan McLean on Friday, Merrill Kelly against Clay Holmes on Saturday, and Eduardo Rodriguez facing a yet-to-be-determined Mets starter on Sunday.

​Game Summary

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