David Peralta’s spirit is an asset for D-backs’ playoff chase
Aug 7, 2018, 5:48 PM | Updated: 5:51 pm
Arizona Diamondbacks' David Peralta is congratulated as he returns to the dugout after hitting a three-run home run off Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Jake McGee during the seventh inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 10, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
PHOENIX — On Monday, outfielder David Peralta’s late-game energy carried the Arizona Diamondbacks to a ninth-inning tie and eventually a win in 14 innings against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Peralta’s four hits — two home runs, a single and a double — all came after the eighth inning. Per Elias Sports Bureau, he became the first player in the modern era with 11-plus total bases in the ninth inning or later.
He’s also the first player in the modern era with four-plus hits and two-plus home runs in a game that was all accumulated in the ninth inning or later.
On the night of his first career walk-off home run, Peralta became the third player in franchise history whose second home run in a game was a walk-off in extra innings.
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Manager Torey Lovullo commented before Tuesday’s game on the palpable energy Peralta brings to the team.
“I’ve met some very interesting characters in this game, and the guys that play with energy don’t necessarily equal being the best hitters,” Lovullo said. “But it certainly helps, because he walks up there with tremendous focus and an eagerness to be successful.
“He wants to be the guy in the biggest situation, and I think that’s a personality trait that he walks around with every day of his life.”
Peralta’s 19 home runs this season are a career-high. His heroic night also makes him the first player in ten years with three-plus extra-base hits in the ninth inning or later in a game.
“He has just great bat to ball instincts, it’s something that he was born with, and then he’s learning about himself as a hitter. He’s starting to pick up some traits of the pitchers that he’s facing, and it’s just a great combination every time he walks up there,” added Lovullo.
While others have struggled at home, Peralta has thrived on the hometown energy. In his last 10 games at Chase Field, Peralta is hitting .537 with seven doubles, three home runs, and six RBI.
But the four hits he had last night to carry this team to victory were some of the most crucial of the season.
“Offensively yesterday, we were held in check by a very good pitcher, so when Arrieta stepped out of the game I think it gave everybody a natural breath of fresh air,” Lovullo said.
“Obviously David got us off on the right foot there.”
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