D-backs' Merrill Kelly strives to continue mastery of Rockies

Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Merrill Kelly was forced to leave his last start with a right hamstring cramp, but it would take more than that to break a date with the Colorado Rockies.

Kelly (8-9, 4.88 ERA) has been dominant against Colorado for five years as he enters a Wednesday afternoon start in Phoenix against right-hander Ryan Feltner (4-6, 5.71). The teams have split the first two contests of a three-game series.

Kelly is 10-3 with a 3.08 ERA in 18 career appearances (all starts) against the Rockies, tied for his most victories against any opponent. It is his best ERA against any foe he has seen more than six times.

He was at his best in his only start against the Rockies this season, notching his first career complete game in a 9-1 victory on May 15 in Denver. He gave up one run on four hits, struck out three and did not issue a walk.

"It's a lot of fun," Kelly said after that one.

"These guys are an aggressive team. They are hitting pretty well, but I feel if I can locate I can compete with anybody. They say the last three outs of a game are the hardest three outs to get. I'd much rather start than close it.

"But anytime you can get it done, the first time in my career, it means a lot."

Kelly, 37, is the oldest pitcher to throw a complete game in the majors since St. Louis right-hander Adam Wainwright, who was 41 when he went the distance in a 2-0 loss to Philadelphia on July 8, 2022.

He has won nine straight decisions against the Rockies, two apiece from 2022-2025 before the complete game this season.

Kelly has given up two or fewer runs in six of his last seven starts and is on his best run of the season despite being forced out of the last outing. A nagging cramping issue resurfaced in a 4-3 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers last Friday

He has dealt with the same issue the last four seasons while trying different remedies, some of which seem to work for a short time.

"It's one of those things that pops up on him from time to time," D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said.

Kelly is 4-1 against the Rockies at Chase Field and 6-2 at Coors Field. Ezequiel Tovar is 8-for-18 with two homers against him. Hunter Goodman is 3-for-13 with a homer.

Goodman tripled and scored the winning run in the Rockies' 3-2 victory Tuesday, a loss that dropped the D-backs (64-47) into a three-way tie with Philadelphia and San Diego for the second National League wild-card spot.

Tomoyuki Sugano beat the D-backs for the second time this season. The Rockies have beaten Arizona three times this season, and Sugano has started all three.

"It's a good night for the Rockies," Colorado manager Warren Schaeffer said. "I can think of a lot of good pitchers out there, and Tomo's one of them."

Feltner missed five weeks with right ulnar nerve inflammation early in the season before returning to the rotation with six scoreless innings in a 2-1 victory over San Francisco on May 30. It was the first of his five quality starts.

He is 1-3 with a 6.27 ERA in four starts against the D-backs, when he has walked 10 in 18 2/3 innings. He beat them 8-2 the last time they met on Sept. 17, 2024.

--Field Level Media