Marte, Beer help D-backs rally past Astros 3-2 in 10 innings

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 13/04/2022 (1304 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

PHOENIX (AP) — Ketel Marte had the game-ending sacrifice fly in the 10th inning after Seth Beer tied it with a single, and the Arizona Diamondbacks rallied for a 3-2 win over the Houston Astros on Wednesday.

The game was full of missed opportunities for both teams — tied at 1-all through nine innings — until each scratched across runs in the 10th.

The Diamondbacks got the better of the exchange, falling behind in the top of the 10th before scoring two runs off Houston closer Ryan Pressly (0-1).

The teams split the two-game series. The D-backs snapped a four-game skid despite leaving 14 runners on base.

Arizona’s Sergio Alcantara began the 10th inning on second and Jake McCarthy’s sacrifice bunt moved him to third. Beer’s single through the drawn-in infield got past Houston second baseman Jose Altuve to tie the game at 2-all. Geraldo Perdomo and Cooper Hummel followed with walks off Pressly to load the bases.

Marte hit a deep flyball to left that Chas McCormick dropped, but it didn’t matter because a tagging Beer would have easily beaten the throw.

The Astros looked like they might steal a win in the 10th.

Jeremy Peña was the automatic runner and Jason Castro walked before a passed ball by Arizona’s Jose Herrera allowed both runners to advance. Michael Brantley was intentionally walked, and Alex Bregman’s sacrifice fly brought home Peña for the 2-1 lead.

Merrill Kelly started for the Diamondbacks and threw 5 1/3 scoreless innings, giving up three hits, two walks and striking out six. He didn’t get much run support, which has been a recurring problem for the D-backs early in the season. Oliver Perez (1-1) got the last out of the 10th.

Arizona took a 1-0 lead in the second after Ketel Marte was hit by a pitch on his right foot with the bases loaded, bringing home Pavin Smith. Home plate umpire Jim Reynolds didn’t see the ball hit Marte but a D-backs challenge confirmed the ball glanced off Marte’s foot.

The Astros tied the game in the seventh when Martin Maldanado’s sacrifice fly brought home McCormick.

Houston starter Framber Valdez struggled with his command, needing 76 pitches to get through three innings. He gave up one run despite surrendering two hits and five walks.

WALK THIS WAY

Arizona leadoff hitter Cooper Hummel reached base five times, four times via walks and once on a single. Manager Torey Lovullo has said the rookie’s ability to force long at-bats and coax walks is a big reason he made the roster.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Astros: OF Yordan Alvarez was out of the lineup for a second straight day because of an illness.

Winnipeg Free Press | Newsletter

Mike McIntyre | On Sports

Thursdays

Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter.

Sign up for Mike McIntyre | On Sports

Sign Up

I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement.

UP NEXT

Astros: Houston is off Thursday before continuing its trip at Seattle on Friday. The Astros are scheduled to start RHP Jake Odorizzi (0-0, 4.50 ERA).

Diamondbacks: Arizona has the day off Thursday before its first trip of the season, starting with a three-game series against the Mets. RHP Zach Davies (0-0, 3.60) is scheduled to start Friday for the D-backs. He’ll face RHP Chris Bassitt (1-0, 0.00).

___

More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports