Merrill Kelly lit up for six runs by Red Sox

Kelly got rocked in what was supposed to be an easy matchup against the Rockies at home. They jumped on him for four runs in the second – three of which came via a three-run shot by back-up catcher Brett Sullivan – and then Zac Veen hit a two-run homer in the fourth. In total, Kelly allowed 11 hard-hit balls and only forced five swings-and-misses. This is now two clunkers over his last three outings after seemingly turning the corner in July with a 1.95 ERA. He’s scheduled to face the Red Sox in Fenway Park next time out.

That doesn’t sound so bad. He should be ready to go Wednesday against the Rockies. Kelly was charged with one run in 5 2/3 innings before leaving the game against the Dodgers.

With one out in the sixth, Kelly lost his command and issued a pair of walks before getting Freddie Freeman to bounce into a fielder’s choice. He then signaled to the dugout and was visited by the training staff who made the decision to remove him from the game. It’s possible that it was only a cramp, but the Diamondbacks were going to take every possible precaution. Expect an update on his status after the game.

Kelly struck out five and had a 13 percent swinging strike rate, but he also walked four and threw just 58 percent of his pitches for strikes. The 37-year-old hadn’t allowed more than two earned runs in a game since June 28, so we’ll consider this an unfortunate speed bump. The bad news is that he’s set to face the Dodgers his next time out, which is likely a start you’d like to avoid.

Kelly gave up four hits, walked one and struck out six. His only run allowed came in the sixth inning when his throwing error on a pickoff attempt helped lead to a Pirates run. Kelly has completed at least five innings and allowed two runs or less in five consecutive starts. He has a 4.86 ERA and 4.97 xFIP this year. Kelly’s lined up to face the Guardians on the road on Sunday.

It was a 2-2 game when Kelly threw his final pitch in the top of the fifth, but the D-backs scored seven runs in the bottom of the inning and then five more in the sixth. Kelly improved to 3-0 in four starts this month and 8-8 overall. Still, he’s given up homers in five straight starts (22 in 103 2/3 innings overall) and posted just a 14.4 percent strikeout rate on the season. Use him at your own risk next week against the Pirates.

The two runs in the first came after a Ketel Marte error, making them unearned. Kelly struck out three and walked two on the night. He gave up 10 hard-hit balls but only four hits. It’s just the second time in 17 starts this year that he hasn’t been involved in the decision. He remains 7-8 with a 5.20 ERA ahead of a start next week against the A’s.

Kelly struck out six, matching his season high. After averaging a season-high 93.4 mph with his fastball last time out against the Brewers, he came in at 93.2 mph tonight. He averaged 92.0 and topped out at 92.7 mph in his first 14 starts this season. If his velocity stays up, he might be of use in deeper formats during the second half. Kelly figures to face the Cardinals in the D-backs’ first or second game after the break.

Kelly was able to work around eight hits and two walks to get the win, with the one blemish a two-run shot by Christian Yelich. It’s the first time he’s held an opponent to under three runs since June 11, and while the results were solid, it’s a little hard to get too excited about this effort. Kelly still sports a 5.71 ERA with his last scheduled start before the All-Star break coming against the Padres on Thursday.

The Rays put a run on the board in the first inning on two hits. Kelly would surrender two more runs in the second, including a solo homer by Cedric Mullins. Junior Caminero and Ben Williamson added solo homers in the fifth and sixth before Kelly’s day was done. He struck out three. The 37-year-old right-hander has struggled to a 5.84 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, and a 47/33 K/BB ratio across 81 2/3 innings. He’ll take on the Brewers in Arizona on Saturday.