Defensive miscues prove costly for D-backs as 9th inning rally falls short vs. Rangers
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PHOENIX -- A pair of defensive breakdowns in the fifth inning keyed a three-run Rangers rally as Texas handed the Diamondbacks a 7-6 loss Sunday afternoon at Chase Field.
Every game is crucial for the Diamondbacks, who are trailing the Padres by two games in the race for the third National League Wild Card spot. San Diego was scheduled to play the Giants on Sunday night.
The Rangers led 2-1 heading into the fifth when, with one out, third baseman Nolan Arenado couldn't handle a grounder to third that seemed to have taken a bad hop on him.
After a single by Corey Seager, Josh Jung hit a sinking liner to left. Lars Nootbaar started in on the ball, then pulled up and it squirted by him and rolled all the way to the wall as two runs scored.
It wound up being a three-run inning for the Rangers, who tacked on another pair of runs in the sixth to seize control of the game.
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The Diamondbacks’ late comeback attempt was staved off by Rangers closer Jacob Latz in the ninth.
Arenado belted a three-run home run in the seventh to cut the lead to three before back-to-back doubles to begin the ninth by Arenado and Tim Tawa brought Arizona within two. Jordan Lawlar added another RBI double moments later, representing the tying run at second before Tommy Troy and Gabriel Moreno were retired to end the game.