Dbacks recap and news

Kepler went 3-for-5 with a two-run double during Arizona’s 3-2 extra-inning loss to Pittsburgh on Monday.

Merrill Kelly and Mitch Keller were locked in a pitcher’s duel, but Kepler was responsible for the first runs of the game with a bases-loaded double in the sixth inning that plated two runs for the Diamondbacks. Kepler is slashing .235/.280/.397 with two home runs and 14 RBI across 75 plate appearances this season.

Kelly did not factor into Monday’s decision against the Pirates, allowing one unearned run on four hits and one walk while striking out six across 5.2 innings.

The only run Kelly allowed Monday was unearned, though it was his doing on a pickoff error to first, leading to Jake Mangum scoring on a Brandon Lowe single. It was the first time in 19 starts this season that Kelly did not yield an earned run, and his six punchouts tied a season high that he set three times prior to Monday’s game. He’ll take a 4.86 ERA and 1.45 WHIP over 109.1 innings into his next start, which is slated for this weekend on the road against the Guardians.

Del Castillo will start at designated hitter and bat seventh in Monday’s game against the Pirates.

Del Castillo will be included in the lineup for a fourth straight matchup with a right-handed starter or primary pitcher, after going 4-for-11 with a double, a stolen base, three runs and an RBI over his prior three starts. The 26-year-old will need to produce well at the plate in order to continue receiving steady at-bats versus righties, but he’ll have a path to playing time while Arizona has three key hitters (Lourdes Gurriel, Jordan Lawlar and Tommy Troy) on the shelf.

Tawa is out of the lineup for Monday’s game against the Pirates.

Tawa will hit the bench for the series opener after he had been included in the lineup in each of Arizona’s previous seven games. During that stretch, Tawa made starts at first base, third base and in center field while going 8-for-28 (.286 average) with two doubles, one walk, four RBI and three runs. Tawa should have a fairly clear path to an everyday role while the Diamondbacks contend with the absences of Lourdes Gurriel (adductor), Jordan Lawlar (hamstring) and Tommy Troy (shoulder).