Peralta redeems blown D-backs lead, hits homer to beat Tigers
Jun 13, 2017, 8:28 PM | Updated: Jun 14, 2017, 9:25 am
David Peralta slams a solo HR on the 1st pitch of the 9th. Oh, and a @Dbacks fan caught the ball! 7-6 @Dbacks 🚂 #FreightTrain pic.twitter.com/hqnqUX3lpN
— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) June 14, 2017
Diamondbacks outfielder David Peralta wasn’t tagged with an error in the game, but he had reason to seek redemption anyway.
The redemption came in the form of his solo home run to lead off the top of the ninth frame Tuesday in Detroit. It allowed Arizona to pull off a 7-6 win after it blew a 6-0 lead in just one inning. The peculiar victory moved the Diamondbacks to 40-26 on the season, tying them for the best start in team history through 66 games.
Peralta was more than involved with the D-backs’ sixth inning that went south.
With one out, the right fielder misplayed an Ian Kinsler liner and then stumbled trying to chase the ball down.
“I was lucky the ball didn’t hit my face because I lost it in the lights,” he told FOX Sports Arizona’s Todd Walsh.
That was just the beginning of the Detroit rally. After shortstop Chris Owings’ throwing error at second followed, Peralta’s diving catch attempt of a Miguel Cabrera drive popped out of the outfielder’s glove as he hit the grass.
AÂ second run scored to cut the Diamondbacks’ lead to 6-2, but by the end of the frame, the Tigers had tied the game and chased Arizona ace Zack Greinke, who allowed five of the six runs — none were earned.
It was an odd game for the D-backs beyond Greinke’s line in 5.2 innings pitched with no earned runs, two walks, five hits allowed and four strikeouts.
After all, Peralta’s heroic final knock came against Detroit reliever Justin Wilson. It marked Peralta’s first homer off a left-hander in 54 straight at-bats dating back to April 22, 2016, and it was just his third career homer against a southpaw.
“I know he’s probably a little disappointed with a ball or two that got away from him in right field,” D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said of Peralta’s rebound. “He’s a pretty energized guy. I think he can turn the page quickly.”
More than that, it was incredible Arizona needed the solo shot to pull out a victory at all.
The D-backs matched a season-high with 16 hits, but the lack of production came as they went 5-for-16 with runners in scoring position.
Arizona loaded the bases twice — once with one out and later with none — and couldn’t buy a run in either the sixth or eighth innings. They also led off the seventh with a double and didn’t score.
“We didn’t do the job … it’s going to happen,” Peralta said afterward. “We had a good start. They came back and tied the game. We’re the type of team, we never give up. ”
BASE HITS
— Brandon Drury went 4-for-4 on the day with three RBI, including two doubles and a two-run home run in the third that made it 6-0, Arizona.
— Paul Goldschmidt, who played as DH with Daniel Descalso on first, hit a two-run homer in the third inning. It was the first homer by a D-back designated hitter since Yasmany Thomas hit a bomb on June 15, 2015. That was also Goldschmidt’s second hit through his first 13 at-bats as a DH in his career.
TRAINING ROOM
Diamondbacks: OF A.J. Pollock (strained right groin) will resume running bases this week and the Diamondbacks would like him to play a few minor league rehab games before rejoining the team. He has been on the DL since the middle of May.
Tigers: RHP Michael Fulmer underwent an MRI last weekend after feeling pinching in his right shoulder during his last couple starts. The MRI indicated shoulder bursitis and he received a cortisone shot. Fulmer, who played catch on Monday and Tuesday, is scheduled to start on Saturday against Tamp Bay.
UP NEXT
Diamondbacks: RHP Taijuan Walker (4-3, 3.46 ERA) is expected to be reinstated from the 10-day DL after suffering a blister on his right hand. Walker, who won his last start against the Padres on May 19, will face the Tigers in a 7:10 p.m. start on Wednesday.
Tigers: RHP Jordan Zimmermann (5-4, 5.72) is expected to start against the Diamondbacks.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
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