PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks acquired Josh Bell as a temporary power-source replacement Tuesday, but as it turns out, a Eugenio Suarez resurgence may be a post-deadline bonus.
The Arizona third baseman blasted three home runs to finish with five RBIs, and the Diamondbacks tied a team record with 22 hits in the franchise's most lopsided shutout victory -- a 17-0 win over the Washington Nationals.
"It's great to have a game like this and that's what we're working for," Suarez told the Diamondbacks official team broadcast. "I'm so proud of myself, and like I always say, never give up. I've been working so hard for a day like this one."
Suarez, who was acquired in the offseason to be a consistent middle-of-the-order offensive source, was hitting just .196 entering the month of July, but has raised his season average to .227 after recording four hits in six at-bats Tuesday night.
Every player in Arizona's starting lineup recorded at least one base knock, with seven D-Backs posting multi-hit efforts, including Jake McCarthy and Geraldo Perdomo with respective three-hit outings.
Ryne Nelson turned in his best pitching performance of the season, tying a career-high with nine strikeouts while allowing just two hits and two walks in seven innings.
The Diamondbacks (57-51) have won six of their last seven overall and are just a half-game back of the San Diego Padres for the final NL Wild Card spot. Torey Lovullo's club also hasn't lost a series since late June against the Twins.
D-BACKS ACQUIRE TWO AT DEADLINE
Diamondbacks General Manager Mike Hazen agreed to send either cash or a player to be named later to the Miami Marlins in exchange for Bell, who will help replace Christian Walker for a few weeks. Walker was put on the injured list after tracking down a foul ball Monday night.
Arizona also bolstered its bullpen, trading prospect Andres Chaparro to the Nationals for reliever Dylan Floro. The D-Backs designated Miguel Castro for assignment to make a roster spot available for Floro.
Arizona sports
The city of Phoenix is home to five 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 on a yearly basis, 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.
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