Humberto Castellanos, Christian Walker launch D-backs over Marlins
May 3, 2022, 7:07 PM | Updated: 9:00 pm
Christian Walker #53 of the Arizona Diamondbacks is congratulated by Third Base Coach Tony Perezchica #3 after hitting a home run in the first inning against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on May 03, 2022 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
(Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
The Arizona Diamondbacks got big performances from Humberto Castellanos and Christian Walker on Tuesday night in Miami.
In a 5-4 win over the Marlins at LoanDepot Park, the D-backs starting pitcher tossed 5.2 scoreless innings while Walker drove in three runs.
“There’s a lot of pressure getting off to a good start every year,” Walker told reporters postgame. “It’s great to see us settling in and bounce back.”
The first baseman also notched a few impressive defensive plays, including his best rendition of Willie Mays’ famous over-the-shoulder catch on a pop-up in foul territory.
Walker finished the day going 2-for-5, including a solo home run to lead off the second inning. He now has 14 hits on the 2022 season, six of which have been dingers.
Straight up crushed by @CWALK328. pic.twitter.com/fSvXrHfxGa
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) May 3, 2022
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“For me, it was just trying to get a fastball, I had a feeling he was going to come early,” Walker said. “He put a good heater and I got the barrel to it.”
Castellanos required 87 pitches (55 strikes) in order to strike out four Marlins batters while only allowing four hits and no walks.
“I’m a man who forgets quickly,” Castellanos told reporters postgame. “I went inning by inning. That’s what kept me in the game.”
D-backs manager Torey Lovullo was ejected after Miami scored its first two runs of the game.
“In the intensity of the moment, I said some things that got me ejected,” Lovullo told reporters postgame. “I wasn’t satisfied with some of the things they were telling me. They told me that the umpire just made a mistake, turned around and was going to signal fair but called it foul. It seemed like his body was in the right spot, was in control.”
“It’s not a reviewable play, but a crew chief review,” he added.
With the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the seventh, Marlins shortstop Jazz Chisholm Jr. — who the Diamondbacks traded for Zac Gallen in 2019 — hit a screamer down the right field line.
The first base umpire originally called the ball foul, but after a replay review, the ruling on the field was changed to a double and every runner advanced two bases to bring in two runs.
It took a little time to figure out, but Jazz gets the @Marlins on the board in the seventh!
Watch ➡️ https://t.co/llUjXbKWQK#MLB | #MakeItMiami pic.twitter.com/4ZlweSfCj3
— Bally Sports Florida: Marlins (@BallyMarlins) May 4, 2022
The very next batter, Marlins DH Jesus Aguilar brought in two more runs on a single to left field to make it a one-run game and cap off Miami’s four-run inning.
The combination of RHP Luis Frias and LHP Caleb Smith allowed all four earned runs on four hits, three walks and one hit by pitch.
Diamondbacks RHP Keynan Middleton and LHP Joe Mantiply came in and shut the door to pick up the hold and save, respectively, with Mantiply getting left-handed-hitting Chisholm Jr. to ground out to end the game.
Arizona right fielder Pavin Smith also added to his home run tally with a solo shot in the third inning, bringing his total to two big flies on the year.
UP NEXT
The D-backs go for the series sweep on Wednesday at 9:40 a.m. on ESPN 620 AM or 98.7 FM HD-2.
Arizona LHP Madison Bumgarner is scheduled to start against Miami RHP Elieser Hernandez.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
