PHOENIX — Arizona’s pitching delivered a resilient performance after an early deficit, but defensive errors allowed the Milwaukee Brewers to pull away for a 7-4 victory.
Right-hander José Cabrera made his third career major league start for Arizona and settled in after Milwaukee struck early. Cabrera, who entered following a 2-4 loss against the Tampa Bay Rays on June 27, retired the Brewers in order in the first inning before surrendering a two-run home run to Garrett Mitchell in the second.
Milwaukee added another run in the third as Brice Turang singled, William Contreras followed with a base hit and Jake Bauers drove home Turang with an RBI single to extend the Brewers’ lead to 3-0.
Cabrera labored through 3 1/3 innings, throwing 63 pitches (33 strikes). He allowed six hits, three earned runs, three walks and struck out three while giving up one home run.
Arizona answered immediately in the bottom half of the third.
Ketel Marte singled to spark the rally before Corbin Carroll added a base hit. Gabriel Moreno’s RBI single brought home Marte, and after Lourdes Gurriel Jr. drew a walk to load the bases, Nolan Arenado delivered a two-run double to left field to score Carroll and Moreno, tying the game at 3-3.
From there, Arizona’s bullpen took over.
A Collective Effort
Jonathan Loáisiga relieved Cabrera in the fourth and escaped a jam with runners on second and third by inducing a key inning-ending double play off the bat of Jackson Chourio. Loáisiga worked 1 2/3 scoreless innings to keep the game even.
The Diamondbacks’ pitching combined to hold Milwaukee scoreless from the fourth through the 10th inning before defensive mistakes in the 11th opened the door for the Brewers’ four-run frame.
Extra Innings
Taylor Clarke kept Milwaukee off the scoreboard in the 10th despite the automatic runner, giving Arizona an opportunity to walk it off. The Diamondbacks, however, were unable to cash in after the Brewers turned a crucial double play in the bottom half of the inning.
The game unraveled in the 11th.
Ryan Thompson entered for Arizona with the automatic runner aboard and hit Andrew Pratt to put two runners on. Jackson Chourio followed with a two-run single to give Milwaukee a 5-3 lead before advancing to second on a throwing error by Thompson. Turang added another RBI single, and another Arizona defensive miscue helped Milwaukee extend its advantage to 7-3.
Arizona plated one run in the bottom of the 11th when Ildemaro Vargas singled home Gurriel Jr., who began the inning as the automatic runner, but the comeback ended there.
Thompson (3-2) was charged with the loss.
Milwaukee collected 12 hits while Arizona finished with nine. The Diamondbacks committed three errors, two of which came in extra innings and directly contributed to Milwaukee’s decisive rally.
In Review
- José Cabrera: 3.1 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, 1 HR, 63 pitches (33 strikes).
- Arizona erased an early 3-0 deficit with a three-run third inning.
- The Diamondbacks’ bullpen combined to keep Milwaukee scoreless over the next six innings before the Brewers broke through in the 11th.
- Arizona finished with four runs, nine hits, three errors and stranded 10 runners.
- Milwaukee recorded seven runs, 12 hits, one error and left 12 runners on base.
- Grant Anderson earned the victory for Milwaukee, while Ryan Thompson was charged with the loss.
- The Brewers capitalized on Arizona’s defensive miscues to take Game 1 of the series, 7-4.
Up Next
The Diamondbacks and Brewers continue their three-game series on Saturday, July 4, at Chase Field. First pitch is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. MST, with Arizona looking to even the series after Milwaukee claimed the opener, 7-4.
A postgame ‘Fireworks Spectacular’ will follow the conclusion of Saturday’s game, with fans invited to remain in their seats for an Independence Day celebration the Diamondbacks describe as an “unforgettable Independence Day weekend experience” for fans of all ages. ♦︎
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