The Diamondbacks entered September with a one-game lead on the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League (NL) West, but they knew their schedule in the final month would not allow them to coast home.
A daunting slate filled with fellow play-off contenders awaited Arizona, and two weeks of running the gauntlet has taken its toll.
A 5-4 loss to the Astros on Sunday, which featured a dominant Justin Verlander outclassing Zack Greinke, sealed the Diamondbacks’ third consecutive series loss – all against teams that would be in the postseason if it started now.
Arizona are 4-11 this month after dropping five of seven games at Colorado and Houston on the road trip and have seen the Rockies vault ahead to become the Dodgers’ prime competitor for a play-off spot.
“This road trip presented an opportunity for us to make a little bit of a move and prove ourselves against some good teams,” D-backs infielder Daniel Descalso said, via the Arizona Republic. “We just didn’t do enough to win either series.”
The news does not get any better when Arizona return home on Monday, as the NL Central-leading Chicago Cubs are in for three games followed by the Rockies and Dodgers. The latter two series will give the Diamondbacks a chance to make up some ground, but they are about out of time.
DYNAMIC DEGROM
Jacob deGrom saw the Mets lose for the 18th time in his 30 starts this season, falling 4-3 to the Red Sox – once again, despite his best efforts. The right-hander padded his Cy Young resume with 12 more strikeouts in seven innings, giving him 251 this season. He also turned in his 22nd consecutive quality start, matching the major league record held by Bob Gibson and Chris Carpenter.
MONCADA MISERY
Yoan Moncada struck out three times Sunday, giving the White Sox infielder 201 this year and making him the seventh player in baseball history to fan at least 200 times in a season. The others: Mark Reynolds (three times), Chris Davis (three times), Adam Dunn, Chris Carter, Drew Stubbs and Aaron Judge – who joined the club last year with 208. Reynolds holds the single-season record with 223 in 2009.
DAVIS HOMERS AGAIN
Down 5-0 in the ninth, Khris Davis could not bring the A’s all the way back in one at-bat. But his 43rd home run of the season came close.
SUNDAY’S RESULTS
Baltimore Orioles 8-4 Chicago White SoxBoston Red Sox 4-3 New York MetsToronto Blue Jays 3-2 New York YankeesDetroit Tigers 6-4 Cleveland IndiansTampa Bay Rays 5-4 Oakland AthleticsWashington Nationals 6-4 Atlanta BravesMiami Marlins 6-4 Philadelphia PhilliesHouston Astros 5-4 Arizona DiamondbacksPittsburgh Pirates 3-2 Milwaukee BrewersMinnesota Twins 9-6 Kansas City RoyalsCincinnati Reds 2-1 Chicago CubsColorado Rockies 3-2 San Francisco GiantsLos Angeles Angels 4-3 Seattle MarinersSan Diego Padres 7-3 Texas RangersSt Louis Cardinals 5-0 Los Angeles Dodgers
ROCKIES AT DODGERS
Two combatants in the tightest division race face off the next three days in Chavez Ravine, their final head-to-head meetings of the regular season. Colorado will send Jon Gray (11-7, 4.80) to the mound against Ryu Hyun-hin (4-3, 2.42).
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