In a dramatic finish at Chase Field on Saturday night, Arizona celebrated the 25th anniversary of its 2001 World Series win with a walk‑off victory over the New York Yankees. Pinch‑hitter Pavin Smith smashed a two‑run, 391‑foot homer with one out in the ninth inning, giving the Diamondbacks a 5‑3 win.
Key moments
Ildemaro Vargas opened the ninth for Arizona, reaching base after an appeal overturned a strike call on a 3‑2 pitch. After a strikeout, Smith’s decisive blast to right‑center secured the comeback, marking the D‑backs’ 46th comeback win of the season.
For the Yankees, Heliot Ramos and Austin Wells each hit solo homers, but the early lead proved insufficient. Wells and Jose Caballero contributed two hits each, while the Yankees have now won four of their last five games.
Impact on the standings
The Yankees (89‑65), already assured of a playoff berth, fell five games behind the Tampa Bay Rays (94‑60) in the American League East and sit 5½ games ahead of Boston for the top AL wild‑card spot. The Yankees will continue their four‑game series against the Rays at Yankee Stadium beginning Tuesday.
Other league highlights
White Sox vs. Tigers: Sean Burke delivered six quality innings as Chicago beat Detroit 3‑1, keeping the White Sox a game behind the AL Central leader Cleveland.
Mets vs. Phillies: Francisco Alvarez’s go‑ahead three‑run homer powered New York to a 10‑3 victory, while the Mets’ Carson Benge went 3‑for‑4 with a solo homer.
Brewers vs. Orioles: Robert Gasser pitched seven shutout innings as Milwaukee edged Baltimore 1‑0, the second shutout for the Brewers in eight games.
Rangers vs. Blue Jays: Texas defeated Toronto 6‑2 in Arlington, with Jordan Montgomery holding the Blue Jays hitless through 3 2/3 innings after starter Cal Quantrill exited early.
Rays vs. Red Sox: Richie Palacios produced a walk‑off single in the ninth, giving Tampa Bay a 2‑1 win in St. Petersburg and extending their late‑season surge.
Guardians vs. Athletics: Angel Martinez homered from both sides of the plate and drove in four runs as Cleveland held its one‑game lead in the AL Central.
Nationals vs. Cardinals: Jose Tena’s two‑run double in the 11th inning lifted Washington to an 8‑5 win in St. Louis after an extra‑inning battle.
Cubs vs. Reds: Michael Busch and Dansby Swanson each hit solo homers, helping Chicago pull ahead of Philadelphia for the top NL wild‑card spot.
Pirates vs. Royals: Brandon Lowe’s go‑ahead two‑run homer in the eighth gave Pittsburgh a 6‑5 victory over Kansas City.
Braves vs. Astros: Ronald Acuña Jr. hit a grand slam as Atlanta clinched the NL East with a 6‑3 win in Houston.
Rockies vs. Mariners: Cole Carrigg’s two‑run single in the seventh secured a 5‑3 win for Colorado in Denver.
The roundup underscores a busy final week of the regular season, with several teams solidifying playoff positions while others fight for wild‑card spots.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
