PHOENIX — Corbin Carroll hit a pinch-hit homer with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning to cap a five-run rally, and the Arizona Diamondbacks shocked the Washington Nationals with a 9-8 win on Monday night.
The D-backs trailed 8-4 heading to the ninth, but Geraldo Perdomo's RBI single brought home Alek Thomas and Ketel Marte followed with a two-run homer down the right-field line off Washington closer Kyle Finnegan.
“We've been saying it all year — we're never out of the game,” Carroll said. “It's not over until it's over and we've been putting together some really great late-game at-bats and it's been paying off.”
Finnegan (2-5) retired Gabriel Moreno for the first out before Lourdes Gurriel Jr. singled up the middle. That brought up Carroll, the reigning NL Rookie of the Year who has struggled at times this season.
But he jumped all over a Finnegan splitter, launching the ball over the right-center fence to set off a raucous Arizona celebration. It was Finnegan's fifth blow save of the season in 33 chances.
“Just wasn't able to get it done tonight,” Finnegan said. “I was ahead of every guy I faced — just wasn't able to put them away.”
Washington built a big advantage early. C.J. Abrams struck out to start the game, but the next six Nationals reached base on the way to their 5-0 lead. Alex Call had the big blow, launching a three-run homer to left, which was his first long ball of the season. James Wood and Keibert Ruiz also had RBI hits.
Call was just promoted from Triple-A Rochester on Sunday. The 29-year-old has played for the Nationals and Guardians over parts of the past three seasons.
Washington made it 6-0 in the second on Harold Ramírez's RBI single. Call, Ruiz, Ramírez, Juan Yepez, Ildemaro Vargas and Jacob Young all had two hits.
For Arizona lefty Jordan Montgomery, it was the latest rough night in a brutal season. He now has a 6.51 ERA and hasn't come close to producing at the level the D-backs expected after they signed him to a $25 million, one-year deal in March.
Montgomery gave up six runs on nine hits over four innings. He walked three and struck out one.
The D-backs cut the margin to 6-2, scoring one run in the fourth and fifth. Newman had two hits, including an RBI double. Washington added two more runs in the sixth for an 8-2 advantage.
But Arizona was far from finished.
“That was a team that played with heart, determination and a lot of will,” Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said. “The first couple innings were very difficult. We got flattened. But we kept chipping away.”
Arizona pulled within 8-4 in the eighth and Eugenio Suarez just missed making it a one-run game after his potential three-run homer was caught by Wood on the warning track.
Mitchell Parker gave up two runs on four hits and two walks, striking out three. The lefty bounced back from two straight rough starts in which he gave up a combined 11 earned runs over 3 2/3 innings.
Joe Mantiply (5-2) got the win by pitching a scoreless ninth.
MAKING MOVES
The D-backs called up RHP Slade Cecconi and sent RHP Yilber Diaz to Triple-A Reno. Diaz was solid in four starts with a 4.05 ERA, but with RHP Merrill Kelly and LHP Eduardo Rodriguez getting close to returning from the injured list, there wasn't room in the rotation. Cecconi will pitch out of the bullpen.
Kelly and Rodriguez are both scheduled to throw simulated games on Wednesday. Kelly will go three innings and 50 pitches while Rodriguez will throw four innings and 55-60 pitches.
TRAINER'S ROOM
D-backs 1B Christian Walker left the game in the fourth inning with left oblique tightness.
ROSTER IN FLUX
The Nationals — fading in the NL playoff race — traded starting outfielder Lane Thomas to the Cleveland Guardians for three prospects before Monday's game. Thomas was hitting .253 with eight homers and 28 stolen bases.
UP NEXT
The D-backs start RHP Ryne Nelson (7-6, 4.85 ERA) on Tuesday night. The Nationals counter with LHP Patrick Corbin (2-10, 5.26 ERA).
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Arizona sports
The city of Phoenix is home to four major professional sports league teams; The NFL's Arizona Cardinals, NBA's Phoenix Suns, WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury and MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Cardinals have made State Farm Stadium in Glendale their home turf and the Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix is home to both the Suns and the Mercury. The Indoor Football League’s Arizona Rattlers play at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale.
Phoenix also has a soccer team with the USL's Phoenix Rising FC, who play at Phoenix Rising FC Stadium in Phoenix.
The Valley hosts multiple major sporting events every year, including college football's Fiesta Bowl and Guaranteed Rate Bowl; the PGA Tour’s highest-attended event, the WM Phoenix Open; NASCAR events each spring and fall, including Championship Weekend in November; and Cactus League Spring Training for 15 Major League Baseball franchises.
12Sports on YouTube
Get the latest news and stories from 12Sports on the 12News YouTube channel. And don't forget to subscribe!
