Ryan Thompson has been one of the more dependable relievers in Arizona's bullpen since the Diamondbacks brought him into the fold in mid‑2023, but on Friday night a single misplay in extra innings turned what had been a winnable game into a loss. With the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the 11th inning, Milwaukee's Jackson Chourio bunted. Instead of letting the ball die or going to first, Thompson elected to make a throw toward the plate. The throw sailed away from catcher Gabriel Moreno, two runs scored on the play, and a subsequent single extended Milwaukee's lead to 7‑3, extinguishing an opportunity Arizona had to walk the game off moments earlier. The miscue ultimately decided the contest.
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Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Ryan Thompson delivers in the eighth inning at Chase Field on April 21, 2026 — Thompson later took responsibility for the game‑losing error.
After the game Thompson went straight to the clubhouse and faced the media in the locker room without deflecting blame. He described the play as one he takes personal responsibility for, noting that it was a fundamental decision he regrets. "I believe in myself a lot to make plays. It's one of the things I pride myself in a lot," Thompson said. He pointed out that the exact play had been part of the day's pregame work: "The not‑so‑funny part about that was we practiced that before the game. And we actually worked on those exact things, throwing to the catcher. That's probably the first time we've done that in a while. We practiced it today, and I butchered it. So, yeah, looking back on it, I need to eat that ball. I need to not risk the throw knowing that, we're going to come up at the bottom of the next inning and have a good chance to tie the game if that's the only run I give up. So, bad mistake on my part."
Thompson's remarks conveyed two threads: confidence in his ability to make plays and recognition that the situation called for a more conservative choice. He reiterated belief in his own playmaking—"In the moment, I believe in myself 1,000%, I make the play"—and also allowed that a different, safer decision would have been the smarter call. "And even watching it, it might sound crazy, but I still think it's possible if I make a good throw there, I get him out at the plate and everything's different because of that. So, yeah, it's just belief in myself to make plays. And I've got to learn from it. I've got to learn from it. The smart thing is eating the ball."
Statistically, the box score identified a sharper distinction between earned runs and total runs allowed on the play. Thompson was charged with two earned runs, though Milwaukee ultimately tagged him for four runs in the inning. Even with the extra damage on the stat line from that outing, Thompson's season ERA remained a solid 3.26, a mark that reflects his broader contributions to a bullpen that has, to date, performed above the low expectations placed on it heading into the season. The error, however, overshadowed what has otherwise been an effective stretch for the right‑hander.
The immediate consequence of the misplay was more than a line in the ledger. The Diamondbacks had managed to score in the top of the 11th and were in position to respond in their half of the inning; had Thompson limited the damage to a single run the game could have unfolded differently. Instead, the two runs that scored on the overthrow, followed by an additional base knock, put Arizona behind by four and dropped the club below .500. The team still had two more games scheduled against a Brewers club described by coaches and players as a tough opponent, but Friday night's result left a tangible sting that Thompson acknowledged in his comments.
Video of the play circulated on social platforms shortly after the inning concluded, drawing attention from fans and analysts alike. In the clubhouse, Thompson did not try to deflect from the visuals or the scoreboard; he returned repeatedly to the same point about execution and decision‑making. "We practiced it today, and I butchered it," he said, and later added, "The smart thing is eating the ball." Those lines framed both his admission and the lesson he said he planned to carry forward. He made clear he intends to apply what he learned in future late‑inning, high‑leverage situations.
The Diamondbacks will turn the page to the next game, but the immediate fallout of Friday night's extra‑inning sequence was a loss attributable in large part to that single misplayed moment. Thompson's season to this point—measured by ERA and by his role in a bullpen that has exceeded preseason projections—remains intact in the wider view, yet Friday's error stands as the defining moment of the outing. Thompson acknowledged the mistake without reservation and said he will let the experience inform how he approaches similar plays going forward.
The Brewers won the contest 7-4 after plating four runs in the 11th. Manager Torey Lovullo had to call on a seventh reliever before turning to Thompson, while Lourdes Gurriel Jr. robbed a potential home run with a standout defensive play earlier. (via MLB.com)
The game was played July 3, 2026, at Chase Field in Phoenix and served as the opener of a three‑game series between Milwaukee and Arizona.
Grant Anderson was credited with the win for Milwaukee (W, 2‑3) while Thompson was charged with the loss, dropping his record to 3‑2 and leaving the Diamondbacks at 43‑44 on the season.
The official box score charges Thompson with a throwing error on the play and shows Milwaukee finished with 12 hits to Arizona's 9 in the 7‑4 final.