Merrill Kelly

D-backs pitcher Merrill Kelly leaves vs. Dodgers in 6th with cramping in right leg

DAVID BRANDT, AP Baseball Writer

Aug 8, 2026


PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona right-hander Merrill Kelly left the Diamondbacks' game Friday night against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the sixth inning because of cramping in his right leg.

Kelly took a no-hitter into the inning before Tommy Edman led off with an infield single. Edman was picked off first base, but then Hunter Feduccia reached on another single before Shohei Ohtani and Andy Pages walked.

Freddie Freeman followed with a fielder's choice that scored Feduccia and that's when Kelly signaled to the dugout that he needed to come out of the game.

Kelly gave up one run on two hits and four walks over 5 2/3 innings. He struck out four.

The 37-year-old Kelly has struggled with cramping issues before, particularly at Chase Field, which can become surprisingly muggy even when the roof is closed like it was on Friday. Kelly came into the game with an 8-9 record and 5.04 ERA.

The D-backs and Dodgers were tied at 2-all going into the eighth.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

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MLB 2026 Standings

NL EastWLPCTGB
88
61
.591
82
67
.550
6.0
73
76
.490
15.0
69
79
.466
18.5
69
81
.460
19.5
NL CentralWLPCTGB
93
56
.624
83
66
.557
10.0
74
75
.497
19.0
73
76
.490
20.0
69
79
.466
23.5
NL WestWLPCTGB
90
58
.608
80
68
.541
10.0
79
70
.530
11.5
62
87
.416
28.5
55
93
.372
35.0
AL EastWLPCTGB
Rays Rays - x
89
59
.601
85
63
.574
4.0
81
68
.544
8.5
74
75
.497
15.5
72
77
.483
17.5
AL CentralWLPCTGB
76
72
.514
75
74
.503
1.5
70
78
.473
6.0
69
79
.466
7.0
66
83
.443
10.5
AL WestWLPCTGB
75
74
.503
73
76
.490
2.0
70
79
.470
5.0
60
89
.403
15.0
56
92
.378
18.5

MLB 2026 Scores & Schedule

Scores

DATEMATCHUPSCORE
Sat
8/29
@
6-0
Sat
8/29
@
6-2
Sat
8/29
@
5-17
Sat
8/29
@
3-4
Sat
8/29
@
7-1

Schedule

DATEMATCHUPTIME (ET)
Sun
9/13
@
3:05 PM
Sun
9/13
@
4:05 PM
Sun
9/13
@
4:10 PM
Sun
9/13
@
7:20 PM
Mon
9/14
@
6:40 PM