The Arizona Diamondbacks set a new Major League Baseball record for futility on Thursday by losing at an opposing team’s ballpark for the 23rd straight time.
By losing to the Giants 10-3 in San Francisco, Arizona broke the dubious record of 22 straight road losses that was held by both the 1963 Mets and ’43 Philadelphia Athletics.
Since starting the season with a respectable road record of 9-8 as of April 25 at Atlanta, the D-backs have dropped entire series to the Marlins, Mets, Dodgers, Rockies, Brewers, Athletics and Giants while being outscored 137-60 in those road sweeps. On May 4, Arizona was 2½ games behind the Giants and five games ahead of the last-place Rockies. They are now 24½ games behind the Giants and 8½ games behind the Rockies.
Losers of 14 in a row overall and 28 of their last 30, the Diamondbacks now have the worst record in the majors at 20-50. With a winning percentage of .286, Arizona is on pace to surpass the worst season in franchise history and lose more than the 111 games the team dropped in 2004.
“It’s nothing we’re proud of,” said Arizona manager Torey Lovullo. “It’s been an extended period of time. It weighs on you. It’s heavy. I lay in bed at night thinking about different things. Sometimes I’m up until 3, 4 o’clock in the morning trying to put the pieces of this puzzle together in my own head. It’s tough. It’s very challenging.”
If there’s a bright side for the Diamondbacks, it’s this: Baltimore lost its 19th straight road game on Thursday, and the Orioles (22-46) have seven road games against the hot-hitting Blue Jays and Astros coming up following a homestand. Meanwhile the Diamondbacks don’t play on the road again until June 25 at San Diego, although Arizona isn’t scheduled for an away game against a sub-.500 team until July 27 at Texas.
The Diamondbacks have a 3½ game lead over the Orioles for the worst record in the majors, and odds are either Arizona or Baltimore will end up with first pick in the 2022 draft. That being the case, losing a few, or a lot, more road games might not be the worst thing in the world.
More Like This
Whether you’re looking to get into shape, or just get out of a funk, The Charge has got you covered. Sign up for our new wellness newsletter today.
