Diamondbacks Keep Playoff Hopes Alive With 5-3 Win Over Rockies

Diamondbacks Strike Early Behind Carroll and Moreno

The Arizona Diamondbacks kept their postseason hopes alive Wednesday night, rallying for four runs in the first inning before holding on for a 5-3 victory over the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Arizona improved to 84-74 with the win and moved within three games of the Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago Cubs for an NL wild-card spot with four games remaining in the regular season.

Four Run First Inning Gives Arizona Early Lead

Gabriel Moreno got the Diamondbacks on the board with an RBI single before Nolan Arenado added another run-scoring single. Corbin Carroll then capped the four run first inning with a two-run triple, giving Arizona an early cushion. The triple was Carroll’s 17th of the season, the most in the majors this year.

Ketel Marte also reached second base in the inning when Zac Veen misplayed his one out liner to left field. Moreno followed with his RBI single two pitches later, setting the tone for Arizona’s early offensive outburst. The Rockies have now allowed an MLB-high 131 runs in the first inning this season.

Moreno finished 3-for-5 and continued his strong season at the plate. He entered the night batting .310, just behind Philadelphia’s Luis Arraez, who is hitting .312 for the National League batting lead. With only four games remaining, Moreno remains within striking distance of the batting title.

Kelly Continues Dominance at Coors Field

Merrill Kelly delivered another strong performance in Colorado, allowing two runs over 5 1/3 innings to earn the victory and improve to 10-14 on the season. Kelly also extended his remarkable run at Coors Field. He is now 6-0 in nine starts at the hitter-friendly ballpark since 2022.

Rockies rookie Mason Adams took the loss and fell to 0-2. Although Adams allowed four runs over six innings, all four were unearned. He surrendered five hits and struck out eight while retiring 13 consecutive batters following Carroll’s first inning triple. Moreno ended that streak with a single to lead off the sixth inning.

Colorado Gets Within Striking Distance

Colorado answered Arizona’s fast start with a pair of runs. Adael Amador delivered an RBI double in the second inning, while Hunter Goodman added a sacrifice fly in the third to cut into the Diamondbacks’ advantage.

Arizona regained some breathing room in the eighth when Tim Tawa launched his 11th home run of the season off Mark Manfredi, extending the Diamondbacks’ lead to 5-2. The Rockies quickly responded in the bottom half of the inning. Ezequiel Tovar hit his 12th homer of the season off Brandyn Garcia to bring Colorado back within two runs.

Loáisiga Closes Out the Victory

Jonathan Loáisiga was called upon to protect the lead in the ninth and earned his second save of the season. With runners on second and third and the potential tying runs aboard, Loáisiga retired Tovar on a foul pop.

First baseman Ildemaro Vargas made the difficult catch near the railing to end the game and preserve Arizona’s 5-3 victory. The Diamondbacks now have four games remaining to continue their push for an NL wild-card berth.

Diamondbacks and Rockies Look Ahead

Arizona will send left-hander Eduardo Rodríguez to the mound Thursday. Rodríguez enters the start at 15-7 with a 2.89 ERA. Colorado will counter with right hander Tanner Gordon, who is 1-5 with a 6.01 ERA. The Diamondbacks will need to continue winning while keeping an eye on the Phillies and Cubs as the NL wild-card race reaches its final days.