In leading the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 9-1 win over the Colorado Rockies, starting pitcher Merrill Kelly accomplished a career-first and a rarity across Major League Baseball. 

Kelly pitched the first complete game of his eight-year career on Friday night, allowing only one run off four hits. He did it, recording only three strikeouts, picking his spots and relying on the Diamondbacks' defense behind him. 

And even though Kelly wouldn't be who anyone would have expected to go the distance, he's become a workhorse as of late. 

Merrill Kelly became only the third pitcher with a complete game in 2026

Kelly's complete game, only the third by any pitcher across MLB so far this season, gives him back-to-back wins as he's logged the most innings worked in consecutive starts.

The only other pitchers to pitch a full nine innings in 2026 are Sandy Alcantara of the Miami Marlins (April 1 against the Chicago White Sox) and the Minnesota Twins right-hander Bailey Ober, who did it just three days before Kelly on May 12 against the Marlins.

Kelly's last start prior to the series opener in Colorado was back on May 9 against the New York Mets — he gave up only one run off three hits in seven innings while striking out six and walking three. 

Kelly was enduring a rough season before his last two starts

A career middle-of-the-rotation guy, Kelly is now 3-3 with a 5.91 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP to go along with 23 strikeouts and 18 walks in 35.0 innings. 

Thanks to Kelly's arm, the Diamondbacks are one win away from getting their record back to .500. Arizona is 21-22 and in third place in the National League West, 4.5 games behind the San Diego Padres and then the Los Angeles Dodgers at the top of the division.