Merrill Kelly’s Early Exit Costs Diamondbacks in Narrow Loss to Phillies
PHILADELPHIA – Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly was removed from the game early due to right hamstring cramping, leading to a disappointing 3-2 loss against the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday at Citizens Bank Park.
Kelly, who has faced cramping issues during the last three seasons, felt discomfort while warming up in the sixth inning, prompting a visit from manager Torey Lovullo and athletic trainer Max Esposito. The visibly frustrated Kelly exited after throwing only 60 pitches, having given the Diamondbacks a 2-1 lead before his premature departure. Lovullo expressed that Friday’s incident was one of the most difficult for Kelly, who has struggled with this recurring problem.
In a game that saw Kelly retire 12 of 13 batters, the Phillies capitalized on his exit, scoring two runs in the seventh inning. Kelly had initially allowed a run in the first but then settled into a groove, even showcasing his skills by picking off Cal Stevenson to end the fifth inning.
Juan Morillo took over on the mound and managed a scoreless inning, but it was left-hander Jose Castillo who allowed home runs to Kyle Schwarber and Max Kepler, ultimately costing the Diamondbacks the game.
Kelly’s cramping issues are not new; he previously exited a game on April 20 due to similar problems. Despite efforts with various hydration and nutrition strategies, he remains frustrated, saying, "I don’t want to be a liability." Kelly stressed the importance of resolving these issues for both his performance and the team’s success.
As the Diamondbacks regroup, they’ll hope to find a solution to keep Kelly on the mound moving forward.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
