Paul Sewald of the Diamondbacks is raising funds for Child Crisis Arizona by pledging $500 for each strikeout he records this season. Fans are invited to contribute any amount per strikeout, with all donations matched by the Diamondbacks Foundation.
Key points
Paul Sewald pledges $500 per strikeout this season
Fans can donate any amount per strikeout
All donations matched by the Diamondbacks Foundation
Child Crisis Arizona supports vulnerable children and families
Mentioned in this story
Child Crisis Arizona
Paul SewaldArizona Diamondbacks
Diamondbacks vs Pirates updates. Paul Sewald's strikeouts mean extra
Paul Sewald's strikeouts have special meaning for the Diamondbacks reliever and his wife, Molly, who have relaunched Sewald's Strikeouts 4 Kids in conjunction with the Diamondbacks Foundation and Child Crisis Arizona.
The Sewalds are pledging $500 for every strikeout from Sewald this season, and invite fans to pledge any amount per strikeout, big or small, at dbacks.com/sewalds4kids. All donations will be matched by the Diamondbacks Foundation.
Child Crisis Arizona helps provide emergency shelter, foster care, counseling and support for the community’s most vulnerable children, youth and families.
The Sewalds, who had a similar charitable endeavor when Sewald pitched in Seattle for the Mariners, have already raised $7,500 this season with 15 strikeouts for the Diamondbacks closer going into the team's Wednesday, May 6, game against the Pirates.
Q&A
How much is Paul Sewald pledging for each strikeout?
Paul Sewald is pledging $500 for every strikeout he records this season.
What is Sewald's Strikeouts 4 Kids initiative?
Sewald's Strikeouts 4 Kids is a fundraising initiative to support Child Crisis Arizona, where fans can pledge any amount per strikeout.
How can fans participate in Sewald's fundraising effort?
Fans can participate by pledging any amount per strikeout at dbacks.com/sewalds4kids.
What does Child Crisis Arizona do?
Child Crisis Arizona provides emergency shelter, foster care, counseling, and support for vulnerable children, youth, and families.
Related Articles
Sports·Recap
‘Pressure bursts pipes.’ Keister’s complete game lifts Olympia to 4A SPSL title
Olympia clinches 4A SPSL title thanks to Keister's shutout and Cheeka's catch!
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
Tejay Antone's inning sparked Reds' rally vs Cubs | Jeff Brantley
Tejay Antone shines in his MLB return, striking out two in a scoreless inning!
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports·Recap
Benedictine baseball splits with Cambridge, setting up deciding Game 3
Benedictine baseball splits with Cambridge, setting up Game 3 showdown!
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
NHL·Recap
Byram, McLeod score to revive Sabres power play in 4-2 win over Montreal in 2nd round playoff opener
Sabres revive power play to defeat Canadiens 4-2 in playoffs
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports·Feature
Notre Dame Men’s Lacrosse: “Time to Be Great” is Upon Us
Notre Dame Men's Lacrosse: Time to Be Great is Here!
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
MLB·Recap
Atlanta Braves reinstate closer Raisel Iglesias from Injured List
Atlanta Braves welcome back closer Raisel Iglesias from the injured list.
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
The Sewalds launched the program with the Mariners in 2022 after having their first daughter and realizing the responsibilities of raising a child. They brought it to the Diamondbacks in 2023.
"The most important part of my baseball career is doing this," Sewald said.
Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman Damonic Williams (52) rushes the quarterback during a college football game against the Ole Miss Rebels at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma, Oct. 25, 2025.
Mississippi Rebels safety Wydett Williams Jr. (16) against the Miami Hurricanes during the 2026 Fiesta Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Jan. 8, 2026.
SMU Mustangs defensive end Cameron Robertson (9) sacks TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Josh Hoover during the first half at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth on Sept. 20, 2025.
Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Harrison Wallace III (2) against the Miami Hurricanes during the 2026 Fiesta Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Jan. 8, 2026.
Jameson Geers #86 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers catches a touchdown pass against Matt Jung of the Wisconsin Badgers in the third quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium on Nov. 29, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Golden Gophers defeated the Badgers 17-7.
Offensive lineman Ka'ena Decambra #52 of the Arizona Wildcats warms up before the game against the Kansas State Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on Sept. 12, 2025, in Tucson.
James Madison Dukes cornerback Elijah Culp (2) defends in the first half during a college football game on Sept. 5, 2025, at L&N Credit Union Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky.
Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman Damonic Williams (52) rushes the quarterback during a college football game against the Ole Miss Rebels at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma, Oct. 25, 2025.
Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman Damonic Williams (52) rushes the quarterback during a college football game against the Ole Miss Rebels at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma, Oct. 25, 2025.
Mississippi Rebels safety Wydett Williams Jr. (16) against the Miami Hurricanes during the 2026 Fiesta Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Jan. 8, 2026.
SMU Mustangs defensive end Cameron Robertson (9) sacks TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Josh Hoover during the first half at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth on Sept. 20, 2025.
Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Harrison Wallace III (2) against the Miami Hurricanes during the 2026 Fiesta Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Jan. 8, 2026.
Jameson Geers #86 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers catches a touchdown pass against Matt Jung of the Wisconsin Badgers in the third quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium on Nov. 29, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Golden Gophers defeated the Badgers 17-7.
Offensive lineman Ka'ena Decambra #52 of the Arizona Wildcats warms up before the game against the Kansas State Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on Sept. 12, 2025, in Tucson.
James Madison Dukes cornerback Elijah Culp (2) defends in the first half during a college football game on Sept. 5, 2025, at L&N Credit Union Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky.
Even if Sewald doesn't reach 100 strikeouts this season, he will round up the charitable donation based off of that number.
Sewald said his inspiration for giving back comes from his grandparents. Growing up in Las Vegas, he played basketball at a Boys and Girls Club where they provided funds for the gym courts.
—José M. Romero
Decisions loom as Santana return nears
First baseman Carlos Santana continues his rehab assignment at Triple-A Reno as he moves closer to being eligible to come off the 10-day injured list with a right adductor strain.
Manager Torey Lovullo will have a difficult decision to make when Santana is ready to play for the Diamondbacks. He has the hot-hitting Ildemaro Vargas playing a solid first base, plus the versatility of José Fernandez and Tim Tawa to be able play the position and other spots.
Vargas "isn't coming out of the lineup," Lovullo said, but he wants to make sure Tawa is getting a few at-bats a week. Fernandez has seen action at third base, shortstop and DH, and the Diamondbacks are 7-2 when he plays first base and 8-1 when Vargas is at second.
Vargas started at first base on Wednesday.
**—José M. Romero
Waldschmidt clears concussion protocols after HBP
Top prospect Ryan Waldschmidt has cleared concussion protocols after being hit in the head by a 95.8 mph sinker on Tuesday night, May 6, Diamondbacks assistant general manager Amiel Sawdaye said.
Waldschmidt, who was hitting leadoff for Triple-A Reno, was hit with the third pitch of the game from Sacramento right-hander Carson Seymour.
Waldschmidt was out of the Reno lineup on Wednesday, May 6, but the expectation was that he could return in the coming days.
Waldschmidt, an outfielder, is hitting .285/.400/.480 with nine doubles, three triples and three homers in 123 at-bats.
At Chase Field: Soroka never found a rhythm in his last start at Milwaukee on April 30, when the right-hander allowed eight runs on 10 hits in three-plus innings in the Diamondbacks’ 13-1 loss to the Brewers. He had been arguably the most effective Diamondbacks starting pitcher up to that point, but his pitches that induced soft contact found holes, and his pitches that were hit hard were launched for extra bases. ... Skenes, the ace of the Pirates, had nine strikeouts in five innings of a game in which he allowed four earned runs on eight hits in his most recent start, against the St. Louis Cardinals. Skenes has a six-pitch arsenal highlighted by a blazing four-seam fastball that routinely reaches 100 mph. He also has an effective sinker and splitter. He's shut down the Diamondbacks in three career starts, with a 2-0 record and 1.00 ERA.
Coming up
Thursday, May 7: At Chase Field, 12:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Zac Gallen (1-2, 4.45) vs. Pirates RHP Mitch Keller (3-1, 2.85).
Friday, May 8: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Ryne Nelson (1-3, 6.61) vs. Mets RHP Nolan McLean (1-2, 2.97).
Saturday, May 9: At Chase Field, 4:15 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Merrill Kelly (1-3, 9.95) vs. Mets RHP Clay Holmes (4-2, 1.69).