Game Recap: Diamondbacks Fall To Blue Jays

For the sixth time in the last ten games, the Arizona Diamondbacks have been defeated. On Monday afternoon, the Toronto Blue Jays beat the D-Backs 4-1, who fell to 69-67 on the season. Esmil Rogers dominated the Diamondbacks’ lineup for over six innings, allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out five. His performance spoiled Brandon McCarthy‘s complete game.

Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

The Blue Jays broke the game open in the top of the second, when Kevin Pillar stepped up to the plate and lined a single to left field, which scored Moises Sierra. The next hitter, Anthony Gose ripped a triple to right field, bringing Pillar around the bases and taking a 2-0 lead.

The score remained the same until the top of the ninth, when Edwin Encarnacion‘s two-run homer gave his team a 4-0 lead. In the bottom of the frame, however, the D-Backs picked up some momentum after a Cliff Pennington double and wild pitch which allowed him to advance to third. Willie Bloomquist, still with no outs, hit a single to center field which scored Pennington. Later in the inning, however, Paul Goldschmidt‘s game-ending double play killed all chances of a Diamondbacks rally.

Brandon McCarthy (3-9) went the distance, allowing four runs on five hits while striking out two in nine innings of work.

With the loss, combined with another Los Angeles Dodgers (82-55) victory, the D-Backs now trail their division rivals by 12.5 games for first place in the National League West while the Cincinnati Reds (77-61) are 7 games ahead of Arizona for the second and final wild-card spot.

The Diamondbacks and Blue Jays will play Game 2 of their three game series tomorrow at Chase Field.