The Arizona Diamondbacks suffered a tough loss to the New York Mets on May 7, 2025, falling 7-1 at Chase Field. This defeat marks the Diamondbacks' ninth loss in their last 14 games, leaving their record at 19-18 and raising concerns about their performance as they prepare to face the Los Angeles Dodgers in a crucial series.
Manager Torey Lovullo expressed his frustration postgame, noting that the team’s mistakes were evident throughout the match. "It just was one of those days that didn’t have a great feel to it from where I was and we just couldn’t get rolling," Lovullo said. The Diamondbacks struggled with baserunning and fielding errors, leading to missed opportunities that could have turned the game in their favor.
Corbin Carroll’s attempt to steal second base in the first inning ended in failure, setting a tone of frustration early on. In the second inning, second baseman Tim Tawa made an error on a routine grounder, and later, Eugenio Suarez was thrown out at home plate trying to score on a double from Alek Thomas. The relay throw from Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor was perfectly executed, showcasing the defensive prowess of New York.
Mets pitcher Kodai Senga had a rocky start, walking five batters in the first three innings, which matched his career high. Despite this, the Diamondbacks failed to capitalize on his struggles. Geraldo Perdomo attempted a bunt with runners on first and second but only managed to advance the ball a few feet, resulting in an easy out at third base. Lovullo later confirmed that the decision to bunt was his, a move that left many questioning the execution.
As the game progressed, Senga found his rhythm, retiring 11 of the last 12 batters he faced after the rocky start. The Diamondbacks’ inability to put together a consistent offensive effort was glaring, as they went hitless in four at-bats with runners in scoring position.
Juan Soto was the standout player for the Mets, hitting two home runs and driving in three runs. His first homer in the sixth inning, a 427-foot blast to center field, broke the scoreless tie. Soto's second home run, an opposite-field shot in the eighth inning, extended the Mets' lead to 4-0. He capped off his impressive performance with a sacrifice fly in the ninth inning, bringing his total to three RBIs for the day.
In the seventh inning, the Mets scored two more runs off Merrill Kelly, who had been effective early in the game but faltered as the innings wore on. After allowing a double to Luis Torrens, Kelly gave up an RBI single to Luisangel Acuna and a triple to Jeff McNeil, who limped off the field after his hit, replaced by Jose Azocar.
Despite the loss, Kelly managed to pitch 6.1 innings, allowing three runs on six hits while striking out six without issuing a walk. He noted that he had tried to adjust his routine between innings to avoid cramping issues that had plagued him in previous outings. "I tried moving around a little bit more (between innings)," Kelly explained. "I tried not to shut down, tried not to cool off too much." His effort was commendable, but it was overshadowed by the Diamondbacks' offensive struggles.
Corbin Carroll provided a glimmer of hope for Arizona with a solo home run in the eighth inning, bouncing off the top of the yellow lining in deep center field. Carroll reached base four times during the game, with two walks and a single accompanying his homer. However, the rest of the lineup struggled significantly, combining for just two hits apart from Carroll and Alek Thomas, who had a double and a single.
As the ninth inning unfolded, the Mets added to their lead with Francisco Lindor hitting a two-RBI double off Arizona’s Jose Castillo, followed by Soto’s sac fly. The final score of 7-1 left the Diamondbacks and their fans disappointed, as they had hoped to build momentum ahead of their upcoming series against the Dodgers.
The Diamondbacks will need to address their fundamental errors and improve their execution if they want to compete effectively in the highly competitive National League. Lovullo acknowledged the need for improvement, stating, "Little things matter, details matter. Sometimes I feel like we’re a little bit getting away from our identity trying to do a little bit too much." The upcoming series against the Dodgers will be crucial for Arizona as they look to turn their season around.
Next up for the Diamondbacks is a four-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, starting May 8 at Chase Field. With Brandon Pfaadt set to pitch against Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Diamondbacks will be looking to bounce back and regain their footing in the standings.
