August 14, 2024

Jake McCarthy’s 2-out, 2-run single in 9th lifts the Diamondbacks over the Rockies 4-3

Arizona Diamondbacks' Jake McCarthy, center, celebrates his two-run walk off single against the Colorado Rockies with teammates after the ninth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

By DAVID BRANDT AP Baseball Writer

PHOENIX (AP) — Jake McCarthy hit a two-out, two-run single down the left-field line in the ninth inning to lift the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 4-3 win over the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night.

The Diamondbacks continued their hot streak, winning five in a row and 17 of 20. Arizona secured its ninth straight series win.

“We let that team give us the chance and then, when it was the right time, we took advantage,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. “It was a great win.”

Arizona started its ninth-inning rally with a one-out triple from Corbin Carroll, who ripped a liner into the right-field corner and easily made it to third. Victor Vodnik (3-3) recovered to strike out Kevin Newman before Adrian Del Castillo and Geraldo Perdomo walked to load the bases.

That brought up McCarthy, who is among the hottest hitters in baseball. The left-handed batter smacked a two-strike fastball down the third-base line, and the ball easily got past Ryan McMahon, who was shading McCarthy well off the bag.

“I was able to flick one to left,” McCarthy said. “You’re going to see that highlight, but Del Castillo, Perdomo, Corbin — that was awesome. If they go one, two, three, I don’t hit. That’s just a testament to our team, the no quit.”

The Rockies had a 3-0 lead in the third inning. Jordan Beck had an RBI single in the second and Brenton Doyle added another in the third. Michael Toglia brought home the third run with an RBI double down the left-field line.

The D-backs cut the advantage to 3-2 in the bottom of the third. Lourdes Gurriel Jr.’s groundout scored a run and Josh Bell added an RBI double.

Colorado lefty Austin Gomber gave up two runs on six hits over six innings, walking one and striking out four. He’s one of the few pitchers to slow down the D-backs’ lineup in recent weeks. Arizona had scored more than seven runs per game over its last 15 contests.

Noah Davis and Tyler Kinley threw scoreless innings of relief before Vodnik’s tough ninth inning. It was his third blown save in 11 chances.

“I feel like I made some pretty good pitches,” Vodnik said. “They just got me today.”

Diamondbacks left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez made his second start of the season, giving up three runs on six hits over five innings. He walked one and struck out five. Rodriguez — who signed an $80 million, four-year deal in December — missed the first four months of the season with a strained shoulder.

McCarthy had three hits. Dylan Floro, Kevin Ginkel, Paul Sewald and Joe Mantiply (6-2) all threw a scoreless inning of relief without giving up a hit.

“Credit to their bullpen for shutting us down,” Rockies manager Bud Black said. “We couldn’t get anything going.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Diamondbacks: 2B Ketel Marte had an MRI on his troublesome lower left leg. Lovullo said it revealed a “low-grade ankle sprain” and Marte is considered day-to-day.

UP NEXT

The Diamondbacks send LHP Jordan Montgomery (7-6, 6.37 ERA) to the mound for Wednesday afternoon’s series finale. The Rockies will counter with RHP Tanner Gordon (0-3, 6.15).