D-backs' win streak snapped as bullpen falters in 11-inning loss to Reds

PHOENIX -- If the D-backs want to make the postseason, let alone make a deep run into October, their bullpen is going to need to turn things around.

After carrying a two-run lead into the ninth inning, D-backs relievers allowed six runs en route to an 8-7 loss in 11 innings. It snapped their six-game winning streak and Arizona fell to the third spot in the National League Wild Card race, a half-game behind the Cubs and a half-game ahead of the Reds. The D-backs could still win the weekend series, but they lost the Wild Card tiebreaker advantage vs. Cincinnati.

“I hated to lose that game,” D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said. “We were in a position to close it out and win another game, a very tight game, a very hard-fought game. But it just didn't happen. It just goes to show you the volatility of this game -- every situation and every decision that's made and every pitch that's made.

“That’s the beauty of the game and it hurts because we care so much.”

The tipping point was in the 11th inning when Nabil Crismatt, who was making his D-backs debut, balked in the game-winning run. Crismatt said that leading up to the balk, he was communicating with catcher Jose Herrera through the PitchCom device, and in the process of waving off the pitch and going back and forth between the ball and the glove, the balk was called.

“I was looking at [the replay] now when I came in, and I saw just a little movement on my arm,” said Crismatt, whose last appearance was on June 16 with San Diego. “I feel like it was not consistent in the moment, I don’t know why he called it. If I did it all the time, I feel that he would never have called that because it was not even close. Still, it's part of the game. You learn and keep going.”

In three games in this series, the D-backs have given up just one run between the first and fifth innings, but 17 runs have after the sixth.

In August (82 innings coming into Saturday), the D-backs’ bullpen had the fourth-worst ERA (5.82) in the Majors, was tied for the fourth most blown saves (five) and tied for seventh worst WHIP (1.49).

“Every day we’re coming out here to compete, but the reality is things aren’t coming out the way we want them to,” said Miguel Castro, who gave up three runs (two earned). “I feel bad because it’s not who I am out there on the diamond. It’s frustrating not being able to execute the way we wanted to.”

Paul Sewald, acquired at the Trade Deadline from the Mariners, gave up two runs in the ninth inning to tie the game. It was his second blown save in nine opportunities and he has a 4.66 ERA and 1.86 WHIP in 9 2/3 innings since his arrival.

When asked if he is concerned about Sewald's performance, Lovullo said, “No I'm not. I just think I've asked a lot of him over the past week. I didn't see where the pitches were landing. Maybe they weren't as crisp as they have been. But he's done a great job for us. Minimal concern, almost nothing.”

Lovullo also trusts that his team can quickly move on from the loss. After all, in the scuffle of a frustrating loss, there was a bright spot for the D-backs, as Zach Davies gave the rotation a boost in his first start back from the IL with lower back inflammation. He pitched five-plus innings, allowing one run on five hits and striking out five.

“We knew what was at stake today. We know what this series means," said Lovullo. "We know what the overall series total means. But the beauty of this game is we can wake up tomorrow and go out and play a game and win and keep moving forward.

“This team is in a good spot. We got to tighten up a few things, but as frustrating as it is right now, we've been resilient. We will be good tomorrow.”