A ninth-inning swing decides it
Pavin Smith came off the bench. He left as the hero. His two-run homer lifted the Arizona Diamondbacks past the New York Yankees, 5-3, on Saturday night in Phoenix.
It all came down in the bottom of the ninth. Ildemaro Vargas worked a walk off Michael Fulmer after challenging a called third strike that was first given against him. One out later, Smith launched the ball 391 feet into right-center field.
Arizona’s 46th comeback win of the season. Not bad for a team that had dropped three straight and five of six coming in.
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Twenty-five years on, same opponent
The night had a special edge. The franchise was marking the 25th anniversary of its 2001 World Series title, won against these same Yankees. The script played out all over again, in miniature.
Nolan Arenado had two hits. Jordan Lawlar added a two-run triple that kept Arizona alive. For New York, Heliot Ramos and Austin Wells hit solo homers. Wells and Jose Caballero each had two hits.
It still wasn’t enough. The Yankees had won four of five and eight of 10, but that run ended in the desert.
Five games back, and the schedule gets worse
New York (89-65) has already punched its ticket to the playoffs. But the club is now five games behind Tampa Bay (94-60) in the American League East. It still holds a five-and-a-half-game lead over Boston (84-71) for the top wild-card spot.
The schedule gives them no breathing room. The Yankees and Rays meet for four games at Yankee Stadium starting Tuesday, with a doubleheader to open the set. Two teams, one division, and precious little time to make up ground.
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