Rockies edge Diamondbacks in tight National League wild-card race
Kyle Karros’ sixth-inning home run and Tomoyuki Sugano’s six-inning outing propel the Rockies past Arizona, leaving the Diamondbacks in a three-way tie for the final two postseason spots.
The Colorado Rockies defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 3-2 on Tuesday night in a National League matchup that underscored the intensity of the current playoff race. Arizona’s record fell to 64-57, leaving them in a three-way tie with the Philadelphia Phillies and San Diego Padres for the final two wild-card positions.
Colorado secured the win through a combination of timely hitting and steady pitching. Kyle Karros hit a two-run home run in the sixth inning off Diamondbacks left-hander Mitch Bratt, tying the game at 2-2. The hit ended Bratt’s 14-inning scoreless streak, as the rookie left-handed pitcher had allowed two runs on four hits and a walk over six innings while striking out four.
Karros exited the game shortly after his home run following a collision with shortstop Ezequiel Tovar while attempting to field a ground ball. Karros appeared to strike his head and remained on the ground for several minutes, appearing dazed, but was eventually able to walk off the field. No immediate medical update was provided regarding the severity of the potential head injury.
The Rockies took the lead in the bottom of the seventh when Hunter Goodman tripled to the right-center gap and was scored in by Mickey Moniak on a sacrifice fly. Tomoyuki Sugano pitched six innings for Colorado, giving up two runs on six hits and striking out five. Jordan Romano recorded the save in the ninth inning, marking his 11th save of the season in 14 chances.
Arizona had taken an early 2-0 lead in the first inning when Corbin Carroll hit his 17th home run of the season and Ketel Marte added his 21st. The Diamondbacks will start right-handed pitcher Merrill Kelly on Wednesday against Rockies right-hander Ryan Feltner as they continue their push for a postseason berth.
