Eugenio Suárez hit a game-winning single off the right-field wall, just a few feet short of a grand slam, completing a three-run 10th inning that helped the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Milwaukee Brewers 11-10 on Sunday and avoid a series sweep.
Arizona had lost a 5-0 lead in the fifth inning, then came back from an 8-5 deficit with two runs in the seventh and Suárez’s sacrifice fly in the eighth. “Crazy game,” Suárez said. “They gave me that opportunity.”
Jackson Chourio had a career-high five RBIs, including a two-out, opposite-field, two-run triple down the right-field line against Justin Martinez that put Milwaukee ahead 10-8 in the 10th inning.
Even though Milwaukee closer Devin Williams warmed up twice, manager Pat Murphy chose not to use him for the bottom of the 10th inning. Murphy mentioned that Williams had limited availability.
“If you put him in the game with no outs, then potentially he’s got to throw a high number of pitches,” Murphy said. “That would have been four out of six (days) and then he wouldn’t be available for awhile.”
Joel Payamps got one out in the seventh. Murphy said Payamps had forearm tightness and would have stayed in for the eighth otherwise.
“That changed everything,” Murphy said.
Chourio’s triple came after right-hander Justin Martinez intentionally walked left-handed hitter Brice Turang to face the right-handed-hitting Chourio.
“I walked him right into their hottest hitter. That’s on me,” acting manager Jeff Banister said. “It came down to the number of pitches. Turang is a contact-type guy.”
Adrian Del Castillo led off the 10th with a single off Jared Koenig (8-4), driving in automatic runner Kevin Newman. Singles by Ketel Marte and Corbin Carroll loaded the bases, and Koenig hit Christian Walker with a cutter, bringing in the tying run.
Blake Walston (1-0) struck out Willy Adames to leave Chourio at third base and earned his first big league win in his fourth appearance.
Arizona (83-66) is currently holding the second NL wild card spot, 1 1/2 games behind San Diego (85-65) and two games ahead of New York (81-68) and Atlanta (81-68). The Mets lost 2-1 to Philadelphia on Sunday afternoon, and the Braves were defeated 9-2 by the Dodgers later that day.
The Diamondbacks improved to 37-1 this season when taking a five-run lead. Milwaukee has not come back from a five-run deficit to win on the road since May 11, 2018.
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo was absent from the game as he attended a memorial service in California for former major leaguer Billy Bean. Bean, who was MLB’s senior vice president of diversity, equity, and inclusion, passed away from leukemia on August 6 at the age of 60. Bench coach Jeff Banister stepped in for Lovullo.
Gold Glove catcher Gabriel Moreno was activated from the injured list and pinch-hit in the seventh inning, reaching base with a groundout. Moreno had been out since August 5 due to a left adductor strain. Right-hander Paul Sewald was placed on the 15-day injured list with left neck discomfort.
Suárez and Josh Bell both hit RBI singles in the first inning, and Pavin Smith had a three-run double in the third inning off DL Hall, who gave up five runs, five hits, and three walks in three innings.
Chourio’s 21st home run, a three-run shot, reduced the deficit in the fifth inning against Zac Gallen, and Haase hit a two-run homer off Kevin Ginkel in a four-run sixth inning that also included a two-run double by Willy Adames, who has a career-high 109 RBIs.
Sal Frelick increased the lead to 8-5 with an RBI single in the seventh, but Arizona closed the gap in the bottom half when Gerardo Perdomo hit an RBI single and scored on Randal Grichuk’s double.
Carroll singled in the eighth inning, stole second base, advanced to third on a wild pitch, and scored on Suárez’s sacrifice fly.
Walston was recalled from Triple-A Reno, and reliever Dylan Floro was designated for assignment. Floro, who was acquired from Washington at the July trade deadline, had a 9.37 ERA in 16 1/3 innings for the Diamondbacks.
