D-backs relish Mexico City Series atmosphere in thrilling comeback victory
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MEXICO CITY -- What is a language that can connect people instantly, no matter where they are in the world? Béisbol.
Across the stands at Estadio Alfredo Harp Helú, that came to life in a beautiful way as the sound of matracas filled the air along with the cheers that followed every time a player made contact with the ball on Sunday.
Those details that were part of a rally that the Diamondbacks will not soon forget.
Staring at a five-run deficit, Arizona turned to one swing from Tim Tawa -- and pulled off a stunning 12-7 win over the Padres on Sunday to close the Mexico City Series.
“[It is] an international sport,” manager Torey Lovullo said. “It brings countries together, brings personalities together [and] for us to come and play in front of this amazing baseball community that supports baseball this way … it is something I'll never forget and I think the players feel the same way.”
Trailing 7-2 in the bottom of the seventh, the Diamondbacks erupted. Three consecutive one-out singles from José Fernández, Nolan Arenado and Alek Thomas loaded the bases for Tawa, who crushed a 97.2 mph sinker from David Morgan into left field for his first career grand slam. The drive, at 100.1 mph off the bat and traveling a Statcast-projected 363 feet, trimmed the deficit to one run.
“Definitely a big moment … it was cool to hear the crowd be really loud,” Tawa said. “And you know, when I hit it, I thought it was a double. And the only time I knew it was a home run, when I saw Thomas, was kind of celebrating, and then it kind of sank in, and it was cool to take in that scene.”
The Diamondbacks kept the pressure on with Ildemaro Vargas adding a double and Corbin Carroll drawing a walk. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. followed with a double to left field, driving in both runners to take the lead.
“I was looking for good contact, and I got a very important at-bat, and thank God everything went well.” Gurriel said in Spanish. “It was the first time that both teams played as locals, it was truly incredible. Everyone enjoyed it, them and us. I think it was a very beautiful series.”
Before the rally, Arizona’s offense came from power swings.
Fernández got the D-backs on the board in the fifth inning, lining an 82.3 mph sweeper from Michael King over the left-field wall. The solo shot, his third of the season, came off the bat at 103.1 mph and traveled 409 feet.
Vargas, who entered with a .351/.368/.649 slash line, added another big swing for his sixth homer of the season, launching a 91.4 mph sinker to right field in the sixth. The home run extended his MLB-leading hitting streak to 20 games this season -- and 23 dating back to Sept. 26 of last year.
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But what he hopes to take away from this series is the people.
“Very happy, thankful to God, it was a beautiful opportunity for me,” Vargas said in Spanish. “I hope to always remember the love and respect that all Mexican fans gave us.”
A déjà vu inning occurred in the bottom of the eighth when Fernández, Arenado, and Thomas loaded the bases once again. This time, however, Vargas was the one with the hit, a bases-clearing triple to right field. Ketel Marte then singled on a ground ball to right, scoring Vargas.
“It's a great win for this team,” Lovullo said. “Over some really rugged, tough circumstances, these guys continue to fight, and that's our DNA, that's part of our culture, to never give in. It looked bleak, but we continued fighting and winning a very important game.”
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The final moment belonged to Arenado. The 10-time Gold Glove Award winner ranged to his right and made a diving, backhanded play near the foul line to secure the last out.
“He doesn’t back down,” Lovullo said. “On the backside of his career he is playing as hard as any player we have. He didn’t shut down in any set of circumstances and he makes the final out in a tremendous defensive play.”
What Lovullo hoped to return to the fans is the same thing he took away: an unforgettable memory.
“I hope we put on a good show for them today. At the end of the day, I think the fans that came out here saw a really good weekend series of baseball,” Lovullo said.