PHOENIX — Lourdes Gurriel Jr. has been proper in the course of lots of the finest moments for the Diamondbacks this yr.
It’s no coincidence that when the All-Star’s bat hit the skids halfway via the season, Arizona’s report began to plummet.
But Gurriel and the D-backs may need bought again on observe Sunday, when the outfielder delivered a pinch-hit, two-run homer that helped Arizona rally for a 5-4 win over the sinking San Diego Padres.
“He just needs to be the best version of himself,” D-backs supervisor Torey Lovullo stated of Gurriel. “He wants to know what he’s, who he’s and the way he suits into the lineup. Just be himself. He doesn’t want to hold the opposite 12 place gamers, he’s one in all 13.
“When he walks into the box with a plan, he’s got a really good swing.”
The D-backs took two of three video games from the Padres with each groups hanging across the fringe of the National League wild-card race. Arizona pushed again to .500 at 59-59 whereas San Diego fell to 56-62.
PHOTOS: Thomas, Gurriel assist the Diamondbacks rally for a 5-4 win over the sinking Padres
The Padres have misplaced six of their final seven.
“We’ve had some tough losses this year, but this is as tough of a loss as we’ve had, based on where we are, who we’re playing and what every game means right now,” Padres supervisor Bob Melvin stated.
The Diamondbacks trailed 4-2 within the seventh, however Gurriel – pinch-hitting for Jose Herrera – hit a full-count, changeup over the left discipline fence off Nick Martinez to tie the sport. It was the primary pinch-hit homer of the 29-year-old’s profession.
“You should always be ready, any time you’re on the bench,” Gurriel stated via an interpreter. “Because at any point, a situation like this can happen.”
In the eighth, Christian Walker hit a one-out single after which moved to 3rd on one other single by Gabriel Moreno. Thomas adopted with a sinking liner into right-center that Trent Grisham was capable of catch, however he wasn’t capable of cease Walker from tagging up and scoring.
Paul Sewald labored the ninth for his second save in two days, working round a two-out stroll to Jake Cronenworth. Gary Sánchez struck out to finish the sport.
Reliever Kyle Nelson (6-3) bought the win.
The Padres jumped throughout D-backs starter Brandon Pfaadt within the first, pounding 5 hits for 3-0 lead. The right-handed Pfaadt – one of many crew’s high prospects – settled down after that tough begin. He made it via 5 2/3 innings, giving up three runs on 9 hits and two walks whereas hanging out a career-high eight.
“Really good at-bats in the first,” Melvin stated. “You would think we’d have a little momentum going the rest of the game.”
The D-backs lower the margin to 3-1 within the backside of the primary after Corbin Carroll led off with a triple and Ketel Marte introduced him dwelling with an infield single. Geraldo Perdomo’s solo homer within the fifth made it 3-2.
The Padres padded their lead within the seventh on Cronenworth’s double down the left-field line off Kevin Ginkel that scored Manny Machado, making it 4-2.
Padres starter Seth Lugo gave up two runs on six hits, hanging out 4. Robert Suarez (1-2) took the loss after giving up one run within the eighth.
ROSTER SHAKE-UP
The Diamondbacks continued their roster shake-up earlier than Sunday’s recreation, demoting right-hander Ryne Nelson to Triple-A and designating veteran catcher Carson Kelly for task.
Nelson has been within the crew’s rotation all season, however has struggled with consistency. He has a 6-7 report and 5.47 ERA. Kelly has been with the group for 5 seasons, however missed an enormous chunk of this yr with a fractured proper forearm suffered throughout spring coaching.
The catcher was hitting .226 in 84 at-bats since his return.
To take their place on the roster, the D-backs reinstated Moreno (left shoulder irritation) from the 10-day injured listing and referred to as up right-hander Bryce Jarvis.
Jarvis – a 2020 first-round pick of Duke – can be making his huge league debut.
UP NEXT
Padres: Return dwelling for a three-game sequence in opposition to Baltimore beginning Monday. San Diego will begin RHP Yu Darvish (8-7, 4.19 ERA) within the first recreation.
D-backs: Travel to Colorado for a three-game sequence beginning Monday. Arizona will begin RHP Merrill Kelly (9-5, 3.05 ERA) within the first recreation.
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