The Arizona Diamondbacks reached Petco Park for the final collection of the period against the San Diego Padres with an unlikely objective: make the Wild Card. While the probabilities were stacked versus them, calling for absolutely nothing except a wonder, the truth that a possibility still existed heading into the 160th video game was a testament to an incredible second half that defied all the probabilities piled against flickering flame was snuffed out in the very first video game of the collection. The Diamondbacks fell to the Padres 7-4 on Friday evening, an outcome that, incorporated with a Reds victory, formally eliminated Arizona from postseason 1The 7-4 loss brought a sudden, painful end to a run couple of outside the fanbase thought feasible. The D-backs crime supplied a flash of hope early, jumping out to a short-term 2-0 lead in the very first inning on back-to-back crowning achievement from Ketel Marte his 27th of the period) and Jake McCarthy. Yet the lead promptly the D-backs violation clawed back to within two runs in the eighth inning thanks to a series of late strolls, the magic had run out. Worsening the concern were expensive base-running mistakes throughout the night, consisting of Geraldo Perdomo being tossed out at 3rd and Ildemaro Vargas oversliding second. Those outs highlighted a team that was desperately attempting to do too much with everything on the Torey Lovullo summarized the sensation after the elimination, stating the clubhouse was greater than let down." He commended the team's commitment, noting they really did not recognize just how accumulated the odds were against them. They didn't care, simply headed out and remained to play good baseball." Outfielder Corbin Carroll's reaction was possibly the most concise: It just draws. We just didn't do enough."Gallen's High-Stakes StartThe stakes for beginning bottle Zac Gallen were impossibly high. His start in the initial game of the series was questionable https://www.adsportsstore.com/collections/lorenzo-encarnacion-jersey, originating from the prior series versus the Dodgers when the D-backs decided for a disastrous bullpen video game to offer Gallen an added day of rest complying with an illness. Manager Torey Lovullo later confessed remorse, noting he made the humane thing to do" by offering him an additional day after Gallen had definitely cleared his tank" in his previous the rest, Gallen labored, going only 4.1 innings and allowing 6 runs 5 gained) on 103 pitches. The crucial moment came when he surrendered a squashing lead to a home run from Fernando Tatis Jr. The last strike to the game additionally acted as the final blow to the D-backs' postseason 2With the playoff race made a decision, video game 2 promptly moved from intense competition to organizational preparation. GM Mike Hazen and various other front workplace staff flew to San Diego to start departure meetings with players, formally transitioning to the offseason. The loss also meant the D-backs were unable to clinch a. 500 record for the season because game. The group fought that fight to gain and maintain a. 500 record all season long, however just stopping working right at the actual 's Very early StrugglesThe professional left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez was really hoping to improve a strong stretch of late-season begins, however he was assailed early. The Padres jumped bent on a lead on only seven pitches, highlighted by home runs from Fernando Tatis Jr. and Xander Bogaerts. Rodriguez provided up 2 more runs in the second, placing the D-backs in an opening simply innings into the video game. He calmed down later, retiring of the next batters to hang 4 straight nos, ending his period with a 's Management and CommitmentThe emotional weight of Friday's video game was still palpable. Manager Torey Lovullo shared that Zac Gallen, who is established to be a complimentary agent, was still visibly fighting with the possible end of his time in Arizona. It's heartbreaking, " Lovullo stated, stating that Gallen used his uniform to dinner and was just one of the last to leave the stars Ketel Marte and Corbin Carroll were held up of the lineup, a just remainder as both had actually been playing abused" eat your heart out Dan Bickley), shortstop Geraldo Perdomo demanded playing. Lovullo recognized that both Marte aching foot/lower half) and Carroll busted bone chip in wrist since mid-season) were not 100%" and applauded their strength: Corbin with a busted hand playing via discomfort that nobody else might perhaps understand."Perdomo, nevertheless, informed the supervisor, I intend to play. Put me in the schedule. I intend to play. It's my responsibility to be the leader of this group. I wish to set a requirement." Lovullo honored the shortstop's demand. Likewise, novice Jordan Lawlar was rested, with Lovullo citing the need to field the very best defensive infield" versus the lefty starter, yet assured Lawlar would begin the final the position player with the most games played on the group, Perdomo wished to establish an example by completing out the season. He gave the D-backs' lone run by crushing a 406-foot solo crowning achievement in the fifth inning, his 20th lengthy round of the period. He now sat just one RBI timid of what has actually been an occupation his offensive success, Perdomo's real dedication to self-improvement shone with in his post-game comments. While his overall defensive metrics remained strong +4 Defensive Runs Conserved), he revealed deep discontentment with his glove work, having actually dedicated 18 mistakes this season after making only 9 total in 2023 and 2024. I seem like it's been an excellent period, but on the handwear cover side for me it's been my worst season, also if the numbers state it declares, " Perdomo admitted. I really feel poor. I feel disappointed with the means I've been executing on protection. I need to put a little bit more effort this offseason, function a little bit harder, and execute the method I know I can perform on defense."Lovullo confirmed Perdomo's liability, remembering a mound visit where the shortstop quickly specified, That's my fault, " after a blunder. This decision from a young team leader speaks volumes regarding the society of responsibility the group is building. Various other minor offending highlights included Gabriel Moreno's night and Jake McCarthy's 3The last video game of the period offered one swan song to complete the year at a. 500 document, yet the Padres continued their dominant performance, providing a squashing 12 4 defeat and completing the series move. This left the Diamondbacks to end up the period with a last document of 80 82. Pfaadt's Roadway Battles ContinueRight-hander Brandon Pfaadt had a hard day in what was meant to be a final motivating sign for 2026. Pfaadt was shelled for five runs in the first inning and exited after simply four innings, allowing 8 runs seven gained). The start sealed a tough season for Pfaadt, who do with a 5.12 PERIOD. The split was disconcerting: a 3.24 age in 17 home beginnings contrasted with a heavy 7.71 figure in 16 roadway begins, highlighting a key location for Perdomo: Making Franchise HistoryThe true emphasize of the last game was the historical specific turning point achieved by Geraldo Perdomo, who came to be the very first shortstop in Diamondbacks history to tape-record a 100-RBI his final at-bat of the season in the nine inning, after being went down to 3rd in the order specifically to optimize his RBI chances, Perdomo struck a ground ball that caused a fielding mistake, enabling him to collect his 100th was the punctuation mark on an MVP-level season for the 25-year-old. Perdomo finished 2025 with an unbelievable slash line of.290/.389/.462, 20 crowning achievement, and the round 100 RBIs, earning him the fifth-highest FanGraphs battle 7.1) in really feels excellent, honestly, I don't wish to lie, " Perdomo claimed postgame, reviewing the assistance of his teammates. I'm just more honored and satisfied due to the fact that my colleagues, they were supporting for me. They were supporting."The entire dugout was concentrated on the accomplishment. Ketel Marte, that has a close, mentorship-like relationship with Perdomo, offered full marks: For him, I'm not stunned. He works so hard and he's a man that suches as to discover. He's an excellent kid and he is worthy of whatever." Lovullo concurred: That was some good news that we all enjoyed."Various other offensive notes from Video game 3 included Ketel Marte's crowning achievement to lead off the game and an evening for Jordan Lawlar with a dual and a walk. The sweep marked the end of Arizona's period at 80-- 82. Yet beyond the last box scores, the last three days in San Diego likewise underscored the larger stories that will form the franchise business heading into 2026. Representations on the Period: Pride, Pain, and the Path ForwardThe final 3 losses sealed an irritating surface, however the final words from the club focused less on the result and more on the remarkable trip the team took through 's Interview Trick TakeawaysGM Mike Hazen and Supervisor Torey Lovullo addressed the media for the last time this period, reaffirming the company's cumulative dissatisfaction in the finish while identifying key areas of emphasis for the offseason.1. Pitching is the Key Need: Hazen was indisputable concerning the most important concern, worrying the demand to restore the pitching team, especially the beginning turning. With Zac Gallen potentially departing in totally free agency and ace Corbin Burnes not expected back from injury until the All-Star Break, the turning depth is critically slim. Hazen mentioned, The starting throwing is mosting likely to be something we're mosting likely to require to focus in recurring into the offseason for certain. That's most likely the top area beyond developing the bullpen again that we're going to need to concentrate know."2. Emphasis on Defensive Upgrades: Beyond pitching, Hazen singled out the group's protection, which was uncharacteristically bad and intensified the issues encountered by the pitching staff. He prepares to make aggressive modifications to improve run prevention. [The defense is something that I'm going to look to lean right into a little extra aggressively into the offseason, making sure that our defense whatsoever eight placements is where we require it to be, " Hazen stated. He added that the inadequate protection made it difficult to fairly assess the throwing efficiency: I think as long as we were all grumbling concerning the results of the pitching team in the very first half, it was extremely challenging for me to tease out where the pitching wasn't up to the same level and where the defense was below, and those things run in mix with each other."3. Placement on Manager Lovullo's Return: Hazen confirmed business harmony with Proprietor Ken Kendrick concerning the choice to preserve Lovullo for 2026. Hazen took duty for the roster deficiencies, strengthening that Lovullo can not be judged exclusively by the 80 82 document. This placement recommends inner security as the team heads into the Lovullo's Confirmed Return and Front Workplace DynamicsDespite the business frustration, the Arizona Diamondbacks confirmed that Manager Torey Lovullo will return for the season, noting his tenth year with the decision comes after proprietor Ken Kendrick supposedly shared extreme disappointment in the coating, which Lovullo recognized put his work under intense analysis. Prior to the decision was reported, Lovullo was honest regarding the pressures of the job: Well shoot, there's constantly question, right?