Corbin Carroll and Nolan Arenado hit back-to-back homers in a five-run sixth inning, Ketel Marte doubled twice and drove in three runs and the Arizona Diamondbacks stopped the Texas Rangers 9-1 on Friday in Phoenix.
Gabriel Moreno had two hits and two RBIs and Ildemaro Vargas had two hits and drove in a run for the D-backs, who posted their major league-best 44th comeback victory and have won five of their last six.
Carroll hit a two-run homer and Arenado followed in the sixth after Arizona touched Texas starter MacKenzie Gore (8-11) for four runs on four doubles in the fifth.
Carroll, who missed the previous two games with low back discomfort, broke a 5-for-48 slump with his 20th homer. Arenado hit his 24th.
Joc Pederson had two of the Rangers’ five hits, with his RBI double giving the Rangers a 1-0 lead in the fifth off starter Merrill Kelly. Kevin Ginkel (6-4) entered and got Brandon Nimmo to ground out with the bases loaded to end the inning.
Four Arizona relievers gave up three hits in 4 2/3 scoreless innings. Justin Martinez struck out the side on nine pitches in the sixth, the fifth immaculate inning in franchise history.
The D-backs (79-69) are battling the San Diego Padres for the final National League wild-card spot, and both are within striking distance of wild-card leaders Philadelphia and the Chicago Cubs (both 82-66).
The Rangers (72-76), who have lost five of seven, remained three games behind Houston (75-73) for the American League West lead and three games behind Cleveland (75-73) for the final AL wild-card spot.
Jordan Lawlar led off the fifth with a double, then Ryan Waldschmidt walked and Vargas doubled to tie the game. Marte followed with a two-run double for a 3-1 lead, chasing Gore. Facing Jakob Junis, Moreno singled in Marte.
Marte doubled home Waldschmidt in the sixth, and Moreno singled in Marte before Carroll’s two-run homer and Arenado’s shot capped the five-run inning.
Kelly gave up two hits and one run in 4 1/3 innings, with three walks and three strikeouts.
Gore was charged with four runs on five hits in four-plus innings, with two strikeouts and three walks.
–Field Level Media
