ATLANTA — The Diamondbacks perpetrated the sort of improbable comeback on the Atlanta Braves that so many of their opponents have done to them this season — only their win on Thursday afternoon (June 5) will go down as one of the better come-from-behind victories in franchise history.
The Diamondbacks rallied for seven runs in the top of the ninth inning to escape Truist Park with an 11-10 win and complete an exhilarating three-game sweep.
In a season filled with ugly and unfathomable losses — they have lost three times this season in games in which they scored 11 runs — the Diamondbacks finally added a positive note to the historical ledger: This was their first win in club history in a game in which they trailed by six runs entering the ninth inning. They had been 0-419 in such games.
“Everything was falling our way and we just did a good job of passing it to the next guy and passing it to the next guy,” Diamondbacks center fielder Alek Thomas said. “It was really cool to be a part of. I’m glad we came out on the positive side of it.”
Eugenio Suarez’s two-run double brought home the tying and go-ahead runs to complete the stunning rally.
Trailing 10-4 to start the inning, the Diamondbacks got home runs from Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (solo) and Alek Thomas (two-run shot) with one out against reliever Scott Blewett. Those felt like window-dressing shots, but the Diamondbacks’ offense did not stop pushing.
After Jose Herrera walked, the Braves summoned their closer, Raisel Iglesias, who was no better. Corbin Carroll (double), Ketel Marte (single) and Ildemaro Vargas (single) set the stage for Suarez, who hooked a full-count change-up from Iglesias down the left-field line.
“It was a magical moment for this team,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. “This team had been grinding. We all know that. And working hard and not getting results for 10 or 11 days and then all of a sudden it’s flipped and we’re playing good baseball. I’m proud of these guys.”
Right-hander Shelby Miller worked the ninth inning for the save, pitching around a one-out walk by getting Marcell Ozuna to bounce into a game-ending double play, which prompted loud boos from Braves fans.
The win was the Diamondbacks’ fourth in a row and gave them their first sweep since April. It also pulled them back to the .500 mark at 31-31.
The stunning comeback dramatically changed the feel of what had been a troubling afternoon.
Right-hander Brandon Pfaadt was hammered for the second time in as many starts, a major concern for a club that needs stability from its starting rotation, particularly in the wake of right-hander Corbin Burnes’ injury.
The defense stumbled again, too, this time committing a costly error and failing to make a tough play during the Braves’ five-run third inning.
The Diamondbacks also might have lost first baseman Josh Naylor, who exited the game for a pinch-hitter in the sixth inning. Lovullo said Naylor departed with both right-hand and left-shoulder discomfort and said he would be day-to-day.
Pfaadt, who gave up eight runs without retiring a batter last weekend against the Washington Nationals, was charged with six runs (five earned) in three innings against the Braves. He allowed a run in the second on a walk and a double, then allowed five more in the third on four hits, a walk and an error by Marte at second base.
Had Marte been able to make the play, he might have started an inning-ending double play. Instead, there was no out recorded on the play and the Braves followed with four consecutive hits.
All of the hits Pfaadt allowed in the inning were clean and/or well struck, but Ozuna’s double came on a deep drive to the warning track that Thomas was unable to track down in center field. It was not an easy play, but it was the sort of catch Thomas seemed to make regularly two years ago when he was named a National League Gold Glove finalist.
For Pfaadt, the outing extended what has been a string of struggles. In five starts since May 13, he has allowed 24 runs (23 earned) in 18 2/3 innings.
“It was frustrating, I know,” Lovullo said of Pfaadt’s outing, acknowledging that the Diamondbacks’ defense did not help matters. “But I thought he had good life on the fastball and he was pounding the zone. It’s just everything backed up on him in that third inning. He’ll be fine.”
The Diamondbacks trailed by 9-3 and 10-4. The six-run deficit ties for the second-largest comeback in a win in club history, falling one run short of a seven-run comeback against the Philadelphia Phillies on Aug. 29, 2022.
“We have a good energy and we understand that this game isn’t finished until it’s done,” Suarez said. “You have to play 27 outs. That was our game. That ninth inning tells us how we play this game. We’re never going to give up.”
Suarez struck out to open the top of the ninth, but he said he started to realize not only that the team might win but that he might have a chance to hit again after the Herrera walk that followed Thomas’ homer. He turned out to be right.
Corbin Carroll blasted a double off the right-field wall, Marte shot an infield single to the left side and Vargas lined another hit into center field, setting the stage for Suarez with runners on first and third.
“I was just looking for something right there,” Suarez said. “I wasn’t trying to do too much, wasn’t trying to be a big hero, just put a ball in play and at least get that tying run in from second base.”
The Diamondbacks entered the week having lost nine of their previous 11 games and looking as bad as they have in years. There were still concerning aspects to all three of the games here, including defensive mistakes and needless outs on the bases, but they came away with three wins.
“When the results aren’t where you want them to be, it’s a little bit frustrating and that frustration compounds itself,” Lovullo said. “You’re wondering how it’s going to change and what’s going to make it change. What I kept saying to these guys is, it’ll change when you make it change. Everybody’s got to do their job. I think that’s what happened today.”
Said Thomas: “Just to see how much work and time we put in in the cage and on the field and for it to show up when it matters is really special. It shows how much we care and how much we want to win.”
Coming up
June 6: At Cincinnati, 4:10 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (1-3, 7.05) vs. Reds LHP Nick Lodolo (4-4, 3.10).
June 7: At Cincinnati, 1:10 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Ryne Nelson (2-1, 3.43) vs. Reds RHP Nick Martinez (3-6, 3.89).
June 8: At Cincinnati, 10:40 a.m., Diamondbacks RHP Zac Gallen (4-7, 5.13) vs. Reds RHP Brady Singer (6-4, 4.66).
