Diamondbacks end series drought, beat Athletics
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen addressed his team before their series began here a few days ago. The trade deadline behind them, Hazen wanted to explain the moves he made, but he also wanted to deliver a message.
The remaining games matter, he told them — and they could help shape the future of this organization.
For center fielder Alek Thomas, the message resonated.
“This is our chance to prove ourselves and try to go out there and win games,” Thomas said after the Diamondbacks beat the Athletics, 6-4, on Sunday afternoon, Aug. 3, to end what had been a miserable road trip on a positive note. “There are people in this clubhouse that are important — important to the future of the organization. I appreciate him coming in and saying that.”
Thomas is one of those people.
For much of the past two years, things have not gone the way Thomas had envisioned. He delivered a number of big hits in October during the Diamondbacks’ run to the World Series. He looked poised to build on that entering last season.
Instead, he was nagged by multiple hamstring injuries that not only wrecked last season but also lingered into this year. But in recent weeks, he has looked, on both sides of the ball, more like the player the Diamondbacks were hoping he would be.
Those rangy, difficult catches he used to routinely make? Those started showing up again in June and July. And, in recent days, his bat has come around, as well, including the past three days against the Athletics, a series in which he went 7 for 11 with a home run and a walk.
Thomas had three hits — all singles — in the series finale, including a pair of hits that led to runs.
Over the past two days, the Diamondbacks have tried to move past the disaster that led up to their trade deadline dismantling. Whether players were stressed about where they might end up or were deflated by the fact that a sell-off was coming, the club played poorly and stumbled into Sutter Health Park over the weekend.
“I feel like maybe our focus wasn’t where it needed to be,” Thomas said. “And now that it (the deadline) is over, we can just focus on this team and going out there and playing and trying to win games and not worry about external things. Just worry about what’s here in this clubhouse.”
The win in the finale gave the Diamondbacks their first series victory in two weeks. They finished a three-city road trip with a 3-6 record.
Thomas believes his results have been better at the plate because he has been laying off more pitches out of the zone — and hitting the fastballs that pitchers have been feeding him.
“There are some advantage counts that we’re dealing with right now, and he’s not missing the pitch he’s looking for,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. “I think him checking off of balls down and away early in counts, he’s finding himself 2-1 instead of 1-2.”
Thomas did not make any highlight-reel grabs over the weekend, but he has started making more of them over the past couple of months. At times in April and May, he lacked trust in the stability of his leg, which impacted his ability to make good jumps in center field.
But over the past couple of months, his fears have diminished — or, at least, he has begun to push past them. There are days, he said, when his leg still doesn’t feel right. He has been going hard anyway.
“I feel like I’m trusting myself more,” Thomas said, “and knowing that whatever happens, happens.”
There are a handful of players for whom the final two months of the season appear to matter most. Newly acquired first baseman Tyler Locklear is looking to make a good impression. Once healthy, infielder Jordan Lawlar likely will get a chance to solidify himself in the club’s plans.
Thomas might belong in the same bucket. With his defense back and his offense production trending up, perhaps he can put himself in a position for a more complete 2026.
“I’m really thankful,” he said, “for the way things have been going.”
Ketel Marte takes seat in series finale
Second baseman Ketel Marte is out of the Arizona Diamondbacks lineup but is available off the bench, manager Torey Lovullo said on Aug. 3.
“He’s been going super hard,” Lovullo said. “The day game after a night game, I thought was a little bit of a challenge for him with where he’s at health-wise. He’s gassed out a little bit. So we’re just going to recharge him. He’ll be available off the bench. He’s 100 percent available.”
Marte homered the previous night — just his second home run since July 4 — but has otherwise had a fairly quiet road trip.
Marte had started every game since July 21, the day he returned from his stint on the restricted list following the burglary of his Scottsdale home.
Diamondbacks at Athletics, 1:05 p.m., Cox, Ch. 34
Diamondbacks LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (3-7, 5.63) vs. Athletics RHP Jack Perkins (0-1, 2.75).
At Sutter Health Park: Rodriguez was tagged for five runs in six innings against the Tigers in his most recent start, giving up two homers in a 5-1 loss. … He is on another of his ugly runs, having given up 17 earned runs in 20 2/3 innings in four starts in July. … Rodriguez has a 4.01 ERA in 10 career starts against the Athletics. He has not faced them since 2023. … Perkins, a rookie, has been pitching in relief since debuting in June. A starter in the minors, he is one of the A’s top prospects. ... He has a deep repertoire fronted by a fastball that averages about 96 mph. ... Perkins threw 23 and 35 pitches in his past two outings, respectively, and 54 pitches in an outing prior to that; he likely will not be on a true starter's pitch count.
Coming up
August 4: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Brandon Pfaadt (10-7, 5.11) vs. Padres LHP J.P Sears (7-9, 4.95).
August 5: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Ryne Nelson (6-3, 3.20) vs. Padres RHP Yu Darvish (1-3, 6.46).
August 6: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Anthony DeSclafani (1-2, 4.91) vs. Padres RHP Nick Pivetta (11-3, 2.73).