D-backs’ Kelly posts best game score among Monday’s non-Player of the Game winners
Monday, July 27 Box-Toppers Sidelights Sidebar
Also Monday: Braves’ Connor Thomas surrenders 11 runs, posting the day’s lowest game score (-32.8)
Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly recorded Monday’s highest Box-Toppers game score among non-Player of the Game winners.
Kelly struck out six over 5 2/3 innings, allowing one run (none earned), four hits and one walk, but the Diamondbacks lost to the Pirates, 3-2 in 10 innings. Kelly recorded a +5.2 Box-Toppers game score, fourth-highest among all players Monday.
Player of the Game honors instead went to Brandon Lowe of the Pirates (2B 3-5 R 2BI), who posted a +1.0 game score.
Kelly has 3.7 Box-Toppers points in 2026, 53rd among National League pitchers.
Lowest score
Also Monday, Braves pitcher Connor Thomas recorded the day’s lowest Box-Toppers game score of -32.8 (2.2IP 10H 11R 5BB 2K L) in the 14-3 loss to the Mets. Thomas, pitching in relief in his fourth Major League appearance, threw 78 pitches and recorded a game score that was more than twice as low as the day’s second-lowest score (-14.9 by Tigers pitcher Keider Montero).
Below is a further look at Box-Toppers Sidelights Sidebar, reviewing the day’s top pitchers, overlooked top performers, lowest Box-Toppers game scores and a preview of the coming day’s top pitchers.
Monday’s top pitching matchup—ARI at PIT
⚾️ Merrill Kelly, Diamondbacks, 16.4 B-T points over 2025-26, 12th*
⚾️ Mitch Keller, Pirates, 10.7 B-T points over 2025-26, 39th*
*Rank among NL pitchers, 2026
Result—PIT 3, ARI 2 (F/10)
Neither starter won Player of the Game.
🔻 Kelly (5.2IP 4H R 0ER BB 6K ND) had +5.2 B-T game score in the loss, 4th-highest among all players Monday.
🔻 Keller (5.1IP 6H 2R BB 4K ND) had -1.9 B-T game score.
▶️ Player of the Game—Brandon Lowe, Pirates (2B 3-5 R 2BI) with +1.0 game score.
High scores, no points
Highest Box-Toppers game scores for the day among players who did not earn Player of the Game honors:
▪️+5.2—Merrill Kelly, Diamondbacks (5.2IP 4H R 0ER BB 6K ND)
Was not Player of the Game in loss vs. PIT.
Player of the Game—Brandon Lowe, Pirates (2B 3-5 R 2BI) with +1.0 game score.
▪️+5.0—Walbert Ureña, Angels (6IP 2H R 2BB 5K ND)
Was not Player of the Game in loss vs. HOU.
Player of the Game—Cristian Javier, Astros (5IP 3H 0R 0BB 7K W) with +9.0 game score.
▪️+4.0—Alex Bregman, Cubs (HR 2-2B 4-5 3R 2BI)
Was not Player of the Game in win vs. STL.
Player of the Game—Teammate Nico Hoerner (HR 4-5 2R 4BI) with +5.0 game score.
Lowest Box-Toppers game scores
Out of 332 total players Monday, 102 pitchers
-32.8—Connor Thomas, Braves (2.2IP 10H 11R 5BB 2K L vs. NYM)
-14.9—Keider Montero, Tigers
-14.0—George Kirby, Mariners
-12.8—Kyle Bradish, Orioles
-11.0—Sean Newcomb, White Sox
Lowest Box-Toppers game scores by batters
Out of 230 total batters Monday
-5.0—Luis Robert, Mets 0-5 3K
-5.0—Brandon Marsh, Phillies 0-5 2K
-5.0—Max Schuemann, Yankees 0-5 2K
-5.0—Jose Altuve, Astros 0-5 K
-5.0—Michael Busch, Cubs 0-5 K
⚾️ PREVIEW
Tuesday’s top pitching matchup—PHI at MIA
⚾️ Aaron Nola, Phillies, 10.4 B-T points over 2025-26, 43rd*
⚾️ Sandy Alcantara, Marlins, 14.7 B-T points over 2025-26, 16th*
*Rank among NL pitchers, 2026
All of Tuesday’s pitching matchups
About Box-Toppers Sidelights Sidebar
A review of the day’s top pitchers, overlooked performers, lowest game scores and a preview of the coming day’s top pitchers. For the full list of Player of the Game winners, check today’s Daily Scorecard or visit Box-Toppers.com.
