Pavin Smith's 2 Run Homer Gives D-backs Comeback Win
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Pavin Smith needed some redemption. In the third inning he took a poor route on a ball hit over his head that led to a three-run triple, giving the Pirates a 3-1 lead at the time. He got his opportunity in the 7th inning with the score 3-2. Robert Stephenson had come on in relief and given up a hit to Lourdes Gurriel Jr. He then fell behind Smith 3-1, and came with fastball at the bottom of the zone. Smith didn't miss it, launching it 405 feet into the right field bleachers.
Ketel Marte hit a solo homer on a line shot to center against Pirates ace Mitch Keller in the top the of the first, staking the D-backs to a 1-0 lead. Brandon Pfaadt pitched well, but was not able to hold the lead.
Pfaadt worked around a couple of singles in a scoreless first inning and retired the side in order in the second. A single and two walks loaded the bases for the Pirates with two outs in the third. Ke'Bryan Hayes stepped up and lifted a fly ball to deep right center field. Smith had just missed a diving attempt at a pop up in foul territory a couple of pitches earlier. He said after the game that because of the popup he was shaded toward the line. Of course Hayes' fly ball was hit to his opposite side and Smith couldn't catch up, his leaping attempt was a step too early as the ball bounced off the wall giving Hayes the three-run, bases-clearing triple.
Pfaadt pitched scoreless innings in the 4th and 5th, and got one out in the 6th inning before Torey Lovullo went to the bullpen. His final line was 5.1 IP, 6 Hits, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3K. He threw 85 pitches, just 49 for strikes, but stayed out of the middle of the zone and didn't allow a homer for the first time in four starts. It was another step forward for the rookie right hander after two very tough starts to begin his career.
Keller meanwhile retired the next 16 batters in a row after the Marte homer. He struck out eight batters and was completely dominating the D-backs hitters two outs into the sixth. Things were looking bleak and it seemed like the D-backs were headed for defeat and a series loss after yesterday's 13-3 shellacking. However a pitch got away from Keller and hit Josh Rojas in the right foot, putting the Pirates ace in the stretch for the first time in the game.
The D-backs were able to take advantage of this opportunity to chip away at the deficit. Marte picked up his second hit of the game on a chopper to third, putting the tying runs on base. After a successful double steal, Corbin Carroll hit a grounder up the middle that looked like it would score both runners, but Tucupita Marcano kept the ball from getting through and preventing a second run from scoring on the play. While the D-backs were unable to tie the game, it was enough to knock Keller out of the game after six innings.
The bullpen was fabulous today. Kyle Nelson recorded three outs as the first man up. He was followed by Austin Adams, who had just been called up from Reno. It was an emotional return for the right hander who had come back from surgery to pitch well in Reno and earn another chance. He was greeted enthusiastically by his teammates when he got back to the dugout.
Andrew Chafin worked a scoreless 8th inning, giving up just a one out double. Miguel Castro came on for the 9th and issued a leadoff walk, that included a pitch timer violation for ball three. He then proceeded to strike out the next three batters to close it out. Nelson got the win, going to 4-1, Chafin got his fourth hold, and Castro picked up his fourth save.
After the game a happy and relieved Torey Lovullo praised his team for fighting back.
"We compete no matter what the circumstances are and we don't shut down, and it's one of the great qualities of this team, there's always max effort and maximum engagement. I was proud of the way the fought through those six tough innings with their starting pitcher, he was very good. We kept the score within striking distance and then there was just some clutch hitting once we got into their bullpen"
The Diamondbacks get back to six game over .500 at 26-20 and drop the Pirates to 24-21. Pittsburgh is tied with Milwaukee for first place in the NL Central. The two teams conclude the series tomorrow with the rubber match. Merrill Kelly will pitch for Arizona, and 23 year old right hander Roansy Contreras goes for Pittsburgh. Game time is 10:35 A.M. Arizona Time, 1:35 EST
