The Arizona Diamondbacks did not just enter the day with a .500 record, they came in with a .500 record both at home (22-22) and on the road (21-21). And so perhaps it should come as little surprise that with a chance to make a statement with a series victory over the San Francisco Giants, they instead — you guessed it — wound up splitting the four-game set.

As the Diamondbacks’ front office continues to look for reasons to believe in this team and reasons to want to add to the roster at the trade deadline, the club continues to alternate steps forward with steps backward. After winning the first two games of this series with their division rivals, the Diamondbacks proceeded to drop the final two, losing the finale, 7-2, on Thursday night, July 3.

The Diamondbacks were shut down by Giants lefty Robbie Ray, the former Diamondbacks pitcher making his first start back at Chase Field since he was traded in 2020. Ray celebrated his return by throwing just the second complete game of his career. He allowed two runs — both coming on solo homers, one by Eugenio Saurez, the other by Ketel Marte — but only one hit and one walk otherwise. He struck out seven, including Suarez looking to end the game.

It was the antithesis of most of Ray’s starts during his time in Arizona, when he was largely effective but also inefficient, known for his inability to work deep into games.

Ray threw just 27 pitches through three innings and 57 through six. He was at 78 pitches after eight innings and finished at 102.

Ray retired 12 in a row to start the game before Suarez homered to start the fifth inning. He then retired 13 of the next 14 batters before Marte hit a one-out homer in the ninth.

Diamondbacks right-hander Brandon Pfaadt turned in an uneven start, giving up four runs in six innings. He was punished for a pair of one-out walks in the first inning, both of which turned into runs.

The Giants added two more off him in the third, and also scored runs off relievers John Curtiss (two) and right-hander Kevin Ginkel (one) as they added to their lead in the late innings.

Eugenio Suarez ends no-hit bid

The San Francisco Giants scored twice in the first and twice in the third off right-hander Brandon Pfaadt, and the Arizona Diamondbacks did not get their first hit off lefty Robbie Ray until the fifth inning. They trail the Giants, 4-1, after six innings Thursday night, July 3, at Chase Field.

Ray, a former Diamondbacks pitcher making his first start in Arizona since being traded in 2020, retired the first 12 batters he faced before serving up a solo homer to Eugenio Suarez to lead off the fifth inning. He then retired the next three batters.

Ray has thrown only 57 pitches through six innings, allowing only Suarez’s blast, striking out four and walking none.

The Giants took advantage of a pair of one-out walks in the first, getting an RBI double from Heliot Ramos and a sacrifice fly from Jung Hoo Lee to take a 2-0 lead.

They got to Pfaadt again in the third on a Willy Adames RBI double and a Ramos run-scoring single.

If the Diamondbacks are going to win the four-game series, they will need a comeback in the late innings.

Corbin Carroll playing in complex league

Diamondbacks right fielder Corbin Carroll is back in action already, earlier even than manager Torey Lovullo suggested he would be when he met with reporters on Thursday afternoon, July 3.

During his session at 3:30 p.m., Lovullo said the plan was for Carroll to take at-bats in a live batting practice session the next day. But plans apparently changed because by the time the Diamondbacks’ team in the Arizona Complex League began play at 6 p.m., Carroll – who was at Chase Field in the early afternoon — had driven across town to play in the game.

Carroll grounded out to second base in his first at-bat and walked in his second trip to the plate.

Corbin Carroll ready for live session

Arizona Diamondbacks right fielder Corbin Carroll continues to take steps toward a swift return from the injured list.

Carroll, who was diagnosed with a left wrist fracture on June 23, is expected to take at-bats in a live batting practice session on Friday, July 4, when he will face a fellow rehabbing teammate, right-hander Kendall Graveman, who is working his way back from a right hip impingement.

“He keeps testing that hand via the aggressive swings and every time he goes into the batting cage he feels like he’s passing that personal test,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. “He’s the only one who can give us the information on how he is feeling, and when he says he feels good and wants to keep doing it the next day, it’s always a very positive sign.”

Carroll suffered the injury on June 18 when he was hit on the left hand by a pitch from Blue Jays lefty Justin Bruihl.

His ability to return before fracture fully heals will be based on his pain tolerance. The club does not believe Carroll would be risking further injury by coming back early.

In other injury news, first baseman Josh Naylor was out of the lineup again on Thursday, July 3, but Lovullo said it was a decision made in conjunction with the club’s medical staff, with the hope being that he can return to near everyday action beginning as soon as July 4.

DBacks considering rotation tweak

Lovullo said the Diamondbacks were expected to remain on rotation for the first two games of this weekend’s series against the Kansas City Royals but added that the club is “TBA” for the Sunday, July 6, finale.

He said the Diamondbacks were considering using a different starter for that game and bumping everyone back a day, giving all five pitchers an extra day of rest.

If the club were to reach to Triple-A Reno for a starter, the most obvious candidate would be right-hander Bryce Jarvis. He is listed as the scheduled starter for Saturday, July 5, in Reno.

But if the bullpen is not used heavily over the coming days, options could include right-hander Anthony DeSclafani – a veteran starter who has been pitching in long relief since signing with the Diamondbacks last month – or right-hander Jake Woodford, who had been starting in the minors before signing with the Diamondbacks this week.

Coming up

Friday, July 4: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (3-4, 5.13) vs. Royals LHP Kris Bubic (6-6, 2.25).

Saturday, July 5: At Chase Field, 1:10 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Ryne Nelson (4-2, 3.61) vs. Royals RHP Michael Wacha (4-8, 3.62).

Sunday, July 6: At Chase Field, 1:10 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Zac Gallen (6-9, 5.45) vs. Royals RHP Michael Lorenzen (4-8, 4.95).

(This story has been updated to add new information.)