Braves power past D-backs behind 7-run 5th inning
Sep 20, 2021, 10:32 PM | Updated: 10:48 pm
Austin Riley #27 of the Atlanta Braves slides into second base with an RBI double as Ketel Marte #4 of the Arizona Diamondbacks looks to throw the ball to home plate during the fifth inning at Chase Field on September 20, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
(Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
PHOENIX (AP) — Austin Riley had three doubles and three RBIs, Adam Duvall added a two-run homer and the Atlanta Braves extended their lead in the NL East by beating the Arizona Diamondbacks 11-4 on Monday night.
The Braves pushed their advantage to three games over the Philadelphia Phillies, who lost 2-0 to Baltimore.
The two worst teams in the majors this season are currently having a big effect on the NL East race. The Orioles and Diamondbacks have both lost 102 games.
The Diamondbacks led 3-2 heading to the fifth but the Braves responded with a huge inning, scoring seven runs while sending 12 batters to the plate.
Jorge Soler and Freddie Freeman started the rally with back-to-back doubles, Riley added his third double of the night and Duvall crushed a 483-foot homer to left-center, which was his 37th long ball of the season and 150th of his career. The Braves also took advantage of two Arizona errors.
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Atlanta finished with seven doubles.
Riley continued a breakout season, pushing his batting average above .300 with three hits. The 24-year-old third baseman has been a mainstay in the middle of Atlanta’s order, contributing 30 doubles and 29 homers.
Duvall has also added plenty of punch since coming to the Braves in a midseason trade with the Marlins. His 37 homers are a career high, and 15 of them have come with Atlanta in just 163 at-bats.
Huascar Ynoa started on the mound for the Braves, giving up three runs over four innings. Jacob Webb (5-3) pitched a scoreless inning of relief. Eddie Rosario added a solo homer.
Humberto Mejia (0-2) took the loss, giving up six runs over four innings. Ketel Marte had three doubles and an RBI. Jake McCarthy hit his first big league homer in the seventh.
The Diamondbacks continued a miserable season that is among the worst in franchise history. The team’s single-season record for losses is 111 set in 2004. Arizona must win at least four of its final 12 games to avoid tying or breaking that mark.
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The Diamondbacks will send RHP Luke Weaver (3-5, 4.42 ERA) to the mound Tuesday. Atlanta hasn’t announced a starter yet.
