Pfaadt continues to dazzle (7 IP, 0 R) despite D-backs' extras defeat 

PHOENIX -- Brandon Pfaadt simply continues to dazzle on the mound.

The 27-year-old pitched seven scoreless innings in Arizona’s 2-1, 10-inning loss to the Dodgers at Chase Field on Saturday, limiting L.A. to two hits while striking out two. The defeat marked the D-backs’ first loss over Pfaadt’s last eight starts -- dating back to June 30 when he rejoined the rotation -- though the right-hander has not taken a loss himself since April 11.

The ultimate outcome was a bitter pill for the team to swallow, especially after Geraldo Perdomo and Corbin Carroll tied the game with back-to-back triples to open the ninth inning. The Diamondbacks came up empty after that, though, and ultimately finished 2-for-16 with runners in scoring position while stranding 15 runners.

Pfaadt exited the game after throwing 93 pitches, including 56 for strikes.

“Brandon Pfaadt was more than efficient today,” manager Torey Lovullo said. “I thought he had really good stuff.”

That’s not a new development in the desert, though, where Pfaadt continued his newfound brilliance on the mound. He used his six-pitch arsenal to consistently keep L.A.’s offense off balance on Saturday, relying primarily on his changeup and four-seam fastball while effectively mixing in his sinker, sweeper, curveball and cutter.

His changeup was dominant, generating six whiffs on 16 swings, while his sinker maxed out at 95.5 mph.

“[Catcher James McCann] did a good job calling the game, keeping them in between the fastball and changeup,” Pfaadt said. “When all six pitches are working, I feel like we're able to have separate game plans with our pitch mix.”

Pfaadt continually delivered against the Dodgers, and he has not allowed more than two earned runs in a game since April 25. His recent performance is a far cry from the beginning of the 2026 season, when he was sent to the bullpen in April before being optioned to Triple-A Reno on June 4.

He returned to the roster as a starter on June 30 against the Giants and hasn’t looked back, posting an ERA of 1.32 since.

He has yet to give up an earned run this month, pitching a total of 13 2/3 innings in August while allowing a combined seven hits.

“It's just been so impressive to see his transformation, who he is now, compared to what he was early in the year,” third baseman Nolan Arenado said. “He's pitching with a lot of confidence, and the way he locates everything, he tunnels it really well, and he's been huge for us.”

Saturday’s game came with a little extra juice in front of an announced crowd of 46,213, and many of those fans saluted Pfaadt with a standing ovation after he retired Mookie Betts to end the seventh inning.

He acknowledged feeding off the crowd in the playoff-like atmosphere after the game.

“I think we felt that in the dugout, both offensively and defensively,” Pfaadt said. “We're appreciative of all the fans coming out, and for the electric crowd.”

Pfaadt returned the favor, giving Arizona fans plenty to cheer for. He approached the Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani, Andy Pages, Freddie Freeman and Max Muncy -- among others -- with the kind of fearlessness that is typically on display when autumn rolls around.

He forced the issue again, helping the D-backs hang around long enough to have a shot at what would have been their 37th come-from-behind win this season.

All in a day’s work.

“​​I'm going to go out there and attack the zone and try to be as relentless as I can,” Pfaadt said. “I’m not necessarily scared of anybody, so I'm going to go out there and pound the zone, and put the pressure on them.”