Pirates Ignite in 9th, Dominate in 10th to Edge Out Diamondbacks 6-5

Arizona saw a hard-fought game slip through their fingers as the Diamondbacks fell to the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-5 in extra innings, ending their four-game win streak.

PHOENIX — In a dramatic turn of events, Ji Hwan Bae scored the decisive run on a wild pitch during Pittsburgh’s four-run 10th inning. Joey Bart had earlier tied the game in the ninth with a run-scoring double, setting the stage for the Pirates’ rally.

Both teams had only five combined hits through eight innings, with Arizona holding a slim 2-1 lead heading into the ninth.

Rowdy Tellez, sidelined Saturday due to back spasms, pinch-hit in the ninth and doubled against Paul Sewald. Bart then delivered a two-out double to tie the game, marking Sewald’s fourth blown save in 20 opportunities.

“That was sick — they both came off the bench and hit lasers,” said Pirates right fielder Jared Triolo, who ended the ninth with a diving catch.

Bae initiated the 10th with a bunt single, and Justin Martinez (4-2) walked Yasmani Grandal to load the bases. A forceout was overturned upon review before Martinez threw a wild pitch that allowed Bae to score.

Martinez then hit Alika Williams with a pitch, and Ke’Bryan Hayes added a two-run bloop single to make it 6-2.

“This is our biggest victory,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton stated. “To come back from where we were at, the way Mitch (Keller) pitched, just to continue to grind through it.”

Arizona’s Eugenio Suárez responded with a two-run homer off Colin Holderman in the 10th, upheld after review despite Pirates’ left fielder Joshua Palacios’ interference claim. Pinch hitter Lourdes Gurriel Jr. then hit a solo shot to narrow the gap further.

Corbin Carroll tripled to the right corner, but Holderman retired Geraldo Perdomo to end the game.

“These are the games that force you to lose sleep,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo commented. “But as you unpack it, what I want to make sure we do is learn and grow from what took place.”

Oneil Cruz homered for the second consecutive game, and Aroldis Chapman (3-4) delivered a flawless ninth for Pittsburgh.

The game was a pitchers’ duel before the explosive concluding innings.

Arizona starter Yilber Diaz gave up just one hit in five scoreless innings, striking out seven and walking four.

Cruz homered off Joe Mantiply, ending Mantiply’s streak of homer-free innings at 59 2/3.

Keller allowed two runs on three hits over six innings, striking out five and walking two.

“There were some good things, but we need to improve upon the things we didn’t do well,” Lovullo said.

TRAINER’S TABLE

Pirates: 2B Nick Gonzales was added to the 10-day injured list due to left groin discomfort. Alika Williams was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis.

UP NEXT

Pirates: All-Star RHP Paul Skenes (6-1, 1.93 ERA) will start Monday’s series opener against Houston.

Diamondbacks: LHP Jordan Montgomery (7-5, 6.11 ERA) is set to face Washington on Monday.

Arizona Sports Scene

Phoenix is a bustling sports town, hosting four major professional teams: the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, NBA’s Phoenix Suns, WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, and MLB’s Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Cardinals play at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, while the Suns and Mercury call the Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix home. Additionally, the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League compete at Desert Diamond Arena.

Phoenix Rising FC represents the city in the USL, playing at Phoenix Rising FC Stadium.

Annually, the Valley hosts significant sporting events, including the Fiesta Bowl, the WM Phoenix Open, and various NASCAR events, as well as Cactus League Spring Training for 15 MLB teams.