ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Diamondbacks’ Geraldo Perdomo hits walk-off sac fly to beat Blue Jays

Jul 12, 2024, 9:30 PM | Updated: 10:50 pm

Justin Martinez #63 of the Arizona Diamondbacks pours water on Geraldo Perdomo #2 after Perdomo hit...

Justin Martinez #63 of the Arizona Diamondbacks pours water on Geraldo Perdomo #2 after Perdomo hit a walk off sacrifice fly during the ninth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Chase Field on July 12, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Diamondbacks defeated the Blue Jays 5-4. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)

(Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)

PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks walked off the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 on a Geraldo Perdomo sacrifice fly to score Corbin Carroll from third base at Chase Field on Friday.

Perdomo hit a high fly ball off Toronto’s Chad Green down the left-field line to former D-backs outfielder Daulton Varsho, who had the impossible task of throwing out Carroll at home.

Arizona has five walk-off wins this season, and Friday’s victory put the D-backs (48-47) above .500 for the first time since they fell to 4-4 on April 5.

“Win the game,” Perdomo joked was his approach. “I told Justin (Martinez) before that. I mean, I was joking, but God heard me. I’m glad I won the game for boys.”

Green walked Carroll to lead off the ninth inning, struck out Gabriel Moreno and walked Ketel Marte.

Carroll and Marte executed a double steal with Christian Walker at the plate, prompting Toronto to intentionally put Walker aboard to load the bases for Perdomo.

Perdomo delivered the first walk-off hit of his life, he said.

“It wasn’t my best swing,” Perdomo said. “So I’m happy Corbin was on third base.”

Alek Thomas ties the game

Alek Thomas delivered in the clutch, as well, tying the game with two outs in the eighth inning on a two-run single. Toronto’s Trevor Richards walked two batters and threw a wild pitch to move both into scoring position.

Richards fired a fastball on the inner half, and Thomas flared it into left field. The ball dropped just in front of Varsho.

Thomas continues to have a knack for the big moment, from last year’s postseason to his grand slam in San Diego last weekend. He was in an 0-for-11 funk stepping up to the plate, but Thomas said he has a slow heartbeat in those moments.

“I was waiting for a change-up and reacting to the fastball and trying to go the other way,” Thomas said.

“The moments in the playoffs from last year have helped ease the calm a little bit and be able to take a deep breath and relax this year.”

Ryne Nelson’s quality continues

In the postgame celebration, Perdomo was awarded the victory vest and handed it to Ryne Nelson, who gave the D-backs a quality start to keep them in the game.

Nelson threw seven innings with three earned runs but exited trailing 3-2. He struck out five with no walks, giving Arizona needed length with a short bullpen — Paul Sewald, Kevin Ginkel and Ryan Thompson had thrown in back-to-back games.

“I felt like everything was kind of working tonight,” Nelson said. “The fastball command was there and the sliders felt really good. I think the adjustments we’ve been making have been paying off and I feel like I’m in command of my stuff. … This team is super fun. I think that we play together and good things happen.”

The right-hander has lasted at least 6.0 innings in six of his last eight starts. He has a 3.92 ERA over his last 10 games, which the D-backs have won six of.

Nelson said his key adjustments have involved calming down his body to allow the arm to work out in front.

Toronto added an insurance run in the eighth off Bryce Jarvis on a sacrifice fly by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to take a 4-2 lead. The Blue Jays scored all four runs on outs made. Jarvis escaped the inning with a Justin Turner double play, which proved key to the comeback.

Martinez threw a 1-2-3 ninth inning, setting up the top of Arizona’s order with a chance to walk it off.

The Diamondbacks had been 8-8, 9-9, 38-38, 45-45 and finally 47-47 in their quest to climb over the .500 mark.

In doing so, Arizona sits one game back of a wild card spot with two contests remaining before the All-Star break.

“When you don’t have your rotation early in the season, when you see a team play like this and be over .500, this is pretty impressive,” Perdomo said. “We just need to continue like that so when those guys come back, this team is gonna be more scary.”

Arizona Diamondbacks

Trey Mancini...

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks take a chance on former Orioles slugger Trey Mancini

The Diamondbacks have agreed to a minor league contract with former Orioles slugger, cancer survivor and World Series champion Trey Mancini.

15 hours ago

Randal Grichuk...

Alex Weiner

Randal Grichuk returns to Diamondbacks on 1-year deal

The Diamondbacks have agreed to re-sign outfielder Randal Grichuk, who finished red hot in 2024, Mark Feinsand first reported on Tuesday.

4 days ago

MLB umpire Pat Hoberg was fired by the league on Monday over sports gambling...

Associated Press

Umpire Pat Hoberg fired by MLB for sharing sports gambling accounts with friend who bet on baseball

Umpire Pat Hoberg was fired by MLB on Monday for sharing his legal sports gambling accounts with a friend who bet on baseball games.

5 days ago

Diamondbacks Kristian Robinson...

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks announce spring training roster with Gino Groover, Kristian Robinson

The Diamondbacks released their spring training roster for big league camp on Friday, including prospects Gino Groover and Kristian Robinson.

8 days ago

Garrett Hampson...

Alex Weiner

D-backs signing stout defender Garrett Hampson to minor league deal, spring training invite

The Arizona Diamondbacks are signing utility defender Garrett Hampson to a minor league deal with a spring training invitation.

8 days ago

The roof of Chase Field is opened prior to the game between the Washington Nationals and the Arizon...

Brandon Cadiz

Diamondbacks: Chase Field roof will be ready by Opening Day

Fans can rejoice, as the Arizona Diamondbacks will have their Chase Field roof fully functional for Opening Day for the first time in two seasons.

9 days ago

Diamondbacks’ Geraldo Perdomo hits walk-off sac fly to beat Blue Jays