Kelly helps D-backs end 17-game skid, beat Brewers 5-1

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Joakim Soria (48) celebrates with Diamondbacks catcher Stephen Vogt, left, after the final out of the ninth inning in a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Monday, June 21, 2021, in Phoenix. The Diamondbacks defeated the Brewers 5-1. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Ketel Marte camped under the high fly ball in center field and watched as it fell into his glove. Relief pitcher Joakim Soria smacked his hands together, grinned and walked toward catcher Stephen Vogt, who pumped his arms in a little victory dance.

The Arizona Diamondbacks had finally won a baseball game, ending three weeks and 17 games of misery.

“Sheer joy,” Vogt said. “We’ve been working so hard, fighting, clawing.”

Merrill Kelly pitched seven effective innings and Marte had two hits as the Diamondbacks beat the Milwaukee Brewers 5-1 on Monday night. Vogt described the postgame clubhouse scenes of victory that have been missing over the past few weeks: Music blaring, lots of laughing and high-fives.

“It’s definitely more fun winning than losing,” Kelly said.

The win was a long time coming for Arizona, which has plunged to the bottom of the standings in the NL West and has the worst record in the majors at 21-53. It was the first victory for the Diamondbacks since they beat the Mets 6-5 in 10 innings on June 1.

 

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