Diamondbacks: Is Zac Gallen to Blame for Game 5 Loss?

Division Series - Arizona Diamondbacks v Los Angeles Dodgers - Game Two

(Photo : Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - Manager Torey Lovullo (#17) of the Arizona Diamondbacks removes Zac Gallen (#23) from the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the sixth inning in Game Two of the Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 09, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.

The Arizona Diamondbacks looked like they were set to grab a 3-2 lead coming into a home game against the Philadelphia Phillies, but the latter just manhandled them at Chase Field to get a 3-2 lead.

Zac Gallen, who earlier said "home advantage is real," was tasked to do the main pitching for the hosts, but he failed to deliver after the second inning, getting burned by the opponent's batters almost the entire time he was on the mound.

The 28-year-old pitcher allowed a pair of runs during the first inning to put his team in a 0-2 hole entering the sixth inning.

Things got worse when he faced Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper, who both fired baseballs up to around 905 feet.

Fans quickly dismiss Gallen's playoffs mentality and talent, but manager Torey Lovullo thinks it is all about breaks.

"Once he got down a couple of runs, I thought he got into a nice rhythm in innings two through six," Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said.

"He did give us a chance to get grounded and get into that neutral corner and come back out and score some runs. ... He just made some mistakes in the last inning of work, and that score went from 2-0 to 4-0 real quick, and that's what can happen when you make mistakes."

Gallen sings praises for Phillies

For his part, Zac recognized that his performance was "not great, really" in Game 5.

“I felt like I kinda got on a roll there… and then 2 homers. Not great, really.”

Zac Gallen breaks down his night on the mound. pic.twitter.com/ilIzNPrpUn
— PHNX Diamondbacks (@PHNX_Dbacks) October 22, 2023

He also praised the Phillies as a well-rounded team that is ready to exploit any error they will commit.

"I think sometimes as a pitcher, some outings you throw really well you get away with some mistakes. That's the team that doesn't miss mistakes," he said after the game.

The Diamondbacks now have their backs on the wall as the Phillies host them for Game 6 to attempt to end the series and reach the World Series.