Walker, Gurriel hit 2-run homers to steer the Diamondbacks over the Orioles 4-2

PHOENIX — This is strictly what the Arizona Diamondbacks mentioned they needed six months in the past when spring coaching began: September evenings that featured high-stakes baseball in the course of a pennant race.

Now that it’s lastly right here, they made a superb first impression.

Christian Walker and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. hit two-run homers, Zach Davies had a high quality begin and the Diamondbacks beat the Baltimore Orioles 4-2 on Friday night time.

“There’s a buzz for sure,” Walker mentioned. “We made some good moves at the deadline, we got better as a team, we’ve got a ton of depth, a ton of excitement, lot of young energy. It’s going to be a fun month.”

The Diamondbacks acquired a much-needed win of their first sport again residence after a three-game sweep on the Los Angeles Dodgers. Arizona improved to 70-65 and moved right into a tie with the Giants for the ultimate NL wild-card spot.

The Orioles have dropped two straight.

PHOTOS: Walker, Gurriel hit 2-run homers to steer the Diamondbacks over the Orioles 4-2

The Diamondbacks jumped forward 2-1 within the first on a two-run homer by Gurriel, which was his twenty first lengthy ball of the 12 months. They prolonged that benefit to 4-1 within the sixth when Walker lofted a high-arching, no-doubter down the left-field line for his twenty ninth homer.

“I took a shot and that’s what the team needed,” Walker mentioned. “I got a breaking ball that he left up a little.”

Baltimore’s Ryan O’Hearn had two hits and two RBIs, together with a run-scoring double within the eighth that minimize the Diamondbacks’ result in 4-2.

“We’ve got to score more than two runs to be able to win these games,” Orioles supervisor Brandon Hyde mentioned.

Davies (2-5) offered a second straight spectacular begin since coming back from the injured checklist on Aug. 26. The right-hander gave up one run on 4 hits over six innings, hanging out six and strolling one.

Davies has by no means been a tough thrower and navigated by means of the Orioles’ lineup by putting his 88-89 mph fastball on the corners and including some well-timed offspeed pitches.

“I do a lot of homework, I watch a lot of video, trying to study the guys as much as possible to get myself as much of as an advantage as possible,” Davies mentioned. “I’m not like some of these guys who get to throw the ball as hard as they can.”

Paul Sewald dealt with the ninth for his twenty ninth save in 34 probabilities.

Baltimore’s Cole Irvin (1-4) gave up 4 runs on eight hits over 5 2/3 innings. The lefty struck out 4 and walked one.

HENDERSON’S GEM

Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson made a stellar defensive play to finish a scoring risk within the fourth.

The 22-year-old made a pleasant catch for the second out, ranging into shallow left discipline to seize a brief fly ball from Nick Ahmed. Henderson then wheeled and fired residence, making an ideal throw to get Corbin Carroll on the plate, who had tagged from third.

Carroll got here into the sport with 41 stolen bases and is taken into account one of many quickest gamers within the large leagues.

“I just think their shorstop made a tremendous play,” Arizona supervisor Torey Lovullo mentioned. “It was a tremendous catch, stop, re-align, and throw a blue dart right on the money to home plate. I think nine times out of 10, Corbin scores on that play, so I have no problem with that.”

Henderson added two hits, together with a double.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Orioles first baseman Ryan Mountcastle was a late scratch from the beginning lineup due to an sickness.

MAKING MOVES

The Diamondbacks referred to as up OF Pavin Smith, INF Emmanuel Rivera and RHP Luis Frías from Triple-A Reno. They additionally optioned INF Buddy Kennedy to Reno.

The Orioles referred to as up OF Colton Cowser and RHP Joey Krehbiel from Triple-A Norfolk.

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