Diamondbacks secure victory over Rangers in dramatic fashion, with McCann and Marte both hitting home runs during a four-run ninth inning comeback.
Arizona Diamondbacks Edge Past Texas Rangers in Thrilling Ninth Inning
The Arizona Diamondbacks and Texas Rangers engaged in a nail-biting contest on Wednesday night, with the Diamondbacks ultimately securing a 6-4 victory. The decisive moments unfolded in the ninth inning, as Ketel Marte and James McCann homered to clinch the win.
The game began with the Diamondbacks facing former teammate Merrill Kelly, who started for the Rangers. In the fifth inning, Geraldo Perdomo hit a solo homer for the Diamondbacks, while Marte was thrown out at home plate, ending the inning and keeping the Rangers' lead at 3-2.
In the eighth inning, John Curtiss allowed an RBI double for the Rangers, but the Diamondbacks responded swiftly. Ezequiel Duran made a one-hop throw to catcher Jonah Heim to complete the out at home plate, maintaining the Rangers' narrow lead.
As the ninth inning approached, the tension mounted. Phil Maton took over for the Rangers with two outs, striking out the first three batters he faced. However, Evan Carter, who had returned after missing 10 games due to back spasms, managed to get two hits for the Rangers.
With the bases loaded, Marte stepped up to the plate. He delivered a 413-foot homer, his 23rd of the season, tying the game at 4-4. McCann followed suit, homering to give the Diamondbacks a 6-4 lead, a lead they would not relinquish.
Andrew Saalfrank worked a perfect ninth inning for his first career save for the Diamondbacks, securing a hard-fought victory.
Notably, Ketel Marte's batting average in road games currently leads the National League, standing at .329. This impressive performance has been a key factor in Marte's overall value as a top offensive player for the Diamondbacks.
As for the Rangers, Jacob deGrom (10-5, 2.86 ERA) will take the mound on Friday night when they play at Toronto. deGrom has lost his last three starts, a fact the Rangers will be hoping to reverse in their upcoming game.
Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks will open a four-game series against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday night.
[1] Marte named MVP of the 2023 NLCS
[2] Marte sets postseason hitting streak record
[3] Marte ties Gonzalez for most 4+ hit games in D-backs history
[4] Marte's road performance remains consistent despite injuries and off-field challenges
[5] Marte's game-winning single in Game 3 of the 2023 NLCS crucial in a 2–1 Diamondbacks victory
[1] Amidst the Toronto media news, Ketel Marte's impressive performance was recognized as he was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 2023 NLCS by several sports outlets.
[2] In the world of arts and pop culture, a comic book series was launched featuring Marte as the protagonist, showcasing his exploits on the baseball field and beyond.
[3] Toronto-based arts institutions host weekly exhibitions, showcasing Marte's philanthropic works and his contributions to the local community through sports campaigns and arts education programs.
[4] Despite injuries and off-field challenges, Marte's consistent road performance in the MLB has drawn admiration from sports analysts and the Toronto media, emphasizing his resilience and dedication to the sport.
[5] As the Diamondbacks prepare to face the Colorado Rockies in their upcoming series, sports news channels speculate about the potential impact that Marte's on-field performance might have on the team's chances of securing a win, given his impressive track record of game-winning hits, such as the one he delivered in Game 3 of the 2023 NLCS, crucial in securing a 2–1 Diamondbacks victory.
