Ildemaro Vargas hadn’t forgotten the joyous feeling of getting a walk-off hit, even if it had been nearly seven years since his only other one in the majors.
After providing the game-winning single on Tuesday, Vargas will look to help the Arizona Diamondbacks win the series when they host the Athletics on Wednesday afternoon in the finale of the three-game set.
The Tuesday contest was quite a roller-coaster as Arizona was one out away from winning in the ninth inning before A’s shortstop Jacob Wilson hit a tying two-run homer off Paul Sewald.
The Athletics moved ahead with a run in the top of the 10th before Nolan Arenado singled in the tying run in the bottom of the frame. Two batters later, the left-handed-hitting Vargas sent a high 1-2 fastball from Luis Medina through the hole between shortstop and third base to drive in Gabriel Moreno with the winning run as the Diamondbacks celebrated a 6-5 victory.
“Always ready for that fastball,” the 35-year-old Vargas said of the hit. “I’m thankful I was able to make contact and find the hole.”
Vargas’ other walk-off hit came in a memorable performance against the St. Louis Cardinals on Sept. 24, 2019. He hit a pinch-hit homer in the ninth to tie the contest and later delivered the winning single in the 19th inning as the Diamondbacks prevailed 3-2. He had four hits despite his late entrance.
Arizona manager Torey Lovullo liked that his club was able to bounce back from the demoralizing blown lead in the ninth and win for the seventh time in the past nine games.
“Everything is going as good as you can possibly imagine and then this game will just rip your heart out,” Lovullo said. “It’s a hard thing to get over. I felt the emotion of the moment. Everybody in the stands did, everybody watching at home did. … You got to shake it (off as) soon as possible and recalibrate.”
Diamondbacks All-Star outfielder Corbin Carroll (elbow) returned from a one-game absence and went 1-for-5 with a run.
Shea Langeliers joined Wilson in going deep on Tuesday for the Athletics. While Langeliers’ blast traveled 444 feet, Wilson’s blow was the type of big hit the A’s haven’t been receiving lately.
“The home run to tie was a big swing, big momentum and I saw the emotions from him,” Kotsay said of Wilson. “That’s what we’re looking for and it gave us a chance to win a ballgame.”
Still, the A’s lost for the 16th time in their past 19 games.
Impressive Athletics rookie infielder Joshua Kuroda-Grauer was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday. He underwent emergency surgery for a ruptured testicle on Monday night after being hurt in the series opener.
Kuroda-Grauer, who is batting .417 in 60 at-bats, hit his first career homer earlier in the game.
Right-hander Merrill Kelly (7-8, 5.20 ERA) starts for the Diamondbacks, and his big quest is keeping the ball in the yard.
Kelly has allowed 21 homers in 17 starts — tying for second-most he’s allowed in his career. He gave up 29 as a rookie in 2019.
Kelly, 37, received a no-decision against the St. Louis Cardinals last Friday when he gave up three runs (one earned) and four hits over five innings.
Kelly is 2-1 with a 3.93 ERA in three career starts against the Athletics. Jeff McNeil (3-for-12) has two homers off Kelly and Lawrence Butler (1-for-3) has one.
Athletics rookie left-hander Gage Jump (3-5, 3.78) has lost four consecutive starts. He had a 2.04 ERA before the span in which he has allowed 14 earned runs in 17 innings (7.41 ERA).
Jump lost to the Washington Nationals last Friday when he gave up four runs (three earned) and four hits over 3 2/3 innings. He has yet to face the Diamondbacks in his young career.
–Field Level Media
