Little Things Add Up in D-backs Comeback Win Over Pirates

Corbin Carroll's single down the right field line gave the Diamondbacks a 3-2 walk-off win over the Pittsburgh Pirates, but that big moment was set up by executing the little things. They hustled on the bases, made some great defensive stops, and executed pitches when they needed to.

No moment is ever too big for Corbin Carroll pic.twitter.com/oE61XKzB3L
— Michael McDermott (@MichaelMcD8393) July 8, 2023

Carroll's heroics would not have been possible if the D-backs did not execute their at-bats in the 10th inning in front of him. Trailing 2-1 entering the inning, their speed and athleticism put pressure on Pirates All-Star closer David Bednar. Bednar committed a throwing error on a Jake McCarthy sacrifice bunt and failed to cover the base on a ground ball hit by Alek Thomas that allowed Arizona to tie. Geraldo Perdomo, a recently named All-Star, bunted McCarthy to third with one out. Those little things all added up once the ball left Carroll's bat and landed in the right field corner.

"It's a great win, you're up against it and against an All-Star closer, we just kept fighting all day long" said D-backs manager Torey Lovullo. "Their All-Star starter was no-hitting us for most of the game, but we just kept grinding him down. We made some very critical plays defensively, we had some very clutch at-bats, which led to us winning the baseball game."

Those great defensive plays came when the D-backs needed them most. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. was able to cut off a ball in the left center gap off the bat of Bryan Reynolds that led to a relay that cut down Henry Davis at home plate to end the third. Christian Walker ranged far down the first base line to make a diving stop at kept two runners from scoring in the 10th. With the D-backs scoring only one run in the first nine innings, those two plays proved to be critical in a one-run win.

Christian Walker saves two runs 🔥 pic.twitter.com/7l58VwH3nz
— Bally Sports Arizona (@BALLYSPORTSAZ) July 8, 2023

"We have that type of grit, we know how important every play is" said Lovullo. "To stop momentum, give us a push defensively, to get back in the dugout. That's who we are, and those are huge plays."

With the D-backs close to the All-Star break and no viable candidates to start, they opted to go with a bullpen game with Kyle Nelson as the opener. Lovullo had the first 23 batters mapped out in his mind going into the game. The bullpen stepped up, allowing just one earned run and struck out 15 Pirates to give the offense a chance. Tyler Gilbert served the role of the bulk pitcher, allowing just one run in while recording nine outs. The trio of Miguel Castro, Andrew Chafin, and Scott McGough combined to allow an unearned run in the final four innings with eight strikeouts.

"I can't say enough about the bullpen" said Lovullo. "You talk about giving up one run through nine innings, you're doing your job."

Pirates All-Star Mitch Keller mixed things up on the mound to keep Arizona hitters guessing, taking a no-hit bid into the sixth inning, to throw seven scoreless innings. The momentum of the game began to change once the D-backs got him out of the game. Perhaps sensing that too, the crowd came to life in the bottom of the eighth. One pitch later, Alek Thomas lined a ball over the right field fence for his fourth home run of the year to tie the game.

It only took one batter for the #Dbacks to tie this game after Mitch Keller blanked them for 7 innings. pic.twitter.com/bM1fWxRiXD
— Michael McDermott (@MichaelMcD8393) July 8, 2023

"I enjoyed seeing Alek round first base and show some excitement" said Lovullo. "It was a good moment for him and put the team in a really good situation. The energy picked up instantly, it picked up with the crowd, but most importantly picked up in our dugout. It was instant focus and I felt like at that point our group felt like we were going to win a baseball game."

The win was Arizona's first in extra innings this season and also keeps the Dodgers from taking the National League West division lead. With the series win secured, they turn to right-hander Zach Davies tomorrow to try to get a series sweep of the Pirates. Pittsburgh has not named a starter yet. First pitch at Chase Field will be tomorrow at 1:10 PM MST.