Arizona’s postseason ambitions stayed alive in Phoenix as the star outfielder erased a late deficit, punishing Miami's bullpen to secure a critical victory in the Wild Card race.
With a stroke of the bat, a Miami Marlins win instantly turned into a loss.
Corbin Carroll hit a two-run homer on a fly ball to right field, in the bottom of the ninth inning to deliver an 8-7 walk-off victory for the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday in Phoenix.
With the win, the Diamondbacks (80-71) remain locked in a closely contested race with the San Diego Padres for the third and final NL Wild Card spot. The Diamondbacks are 2 1/2 games behind the Padres and the two teams will play each other in a three-game series to close out the regular season so every win counts.
“I think there’s a lot of motivation in this clubhouse,” Corbin said during his postgame press conference. “We all want to play in the playoffs.”
Marlins closer Pete Fairbanks was on hand to try to preserve Miami’s slim lead in the ninth inning. However, after a visit from the training staff, he left the game with an Arizona runner on base.
Fairbanks had dealt with nerve irritation in his hand multiple times during the season and it led to stints on the injured list. Marlins manager Clayton McCullough told reporters after the game that it was a "similar sensation to what he had previously."
The Marlins (74-77) have fallen out of the playoff race and also announced the end of All-Star Max Meyer’s season. Meyer posted a 9-1 record and 2.68 ERA with 121 strikeouts but hadn’t pitched since the middle of July.
“We just decided it was in the best interest of him and us to just halt the attempt and get him in a place where he has a really solid offseason going into next year,” McCullough said.
The Marlins took a 3-0 lead in the second inning on a two-run triple by Javier Sanoja and a sacrifice fly by Joe Mack.
The Diamondbacks responded in the third inning to tie the game 3-3. Arizona initiated a double steal with Jordan Lawlar taking second base and Pavin Smith stealing home plate. Lars Nootbaar later hit a two-run homer.
The Marlins took back the lead in the fourth inning on back-to-back solo home runs by Jakob Marsee and Sanoja.
Carroll closed the gap with an RBI single in the fifth inning.
The Marlins scored two more runs in the seventh inning to extend their lead to 7-4. Kyle Stowers hit an RBI double and scored on a single by Xavier Edwards.
The Marlins bullpen could not hold the rallying D-Backs. Jordan Lawlar hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning before the walk-off bomb.
D-Backs claim former Marlin off waivers
The Diamondbacks claimed outfielder Jesús Sánchez off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday to help with their playoff push. Sanchez, who was on the Marlins’ Opening Day roster last year, slashed .260/.318/.416 with 8 HR and 35 RBI this season for the Blue Jays. However, due to arriving at the organization after Sept. 1, he is ineligible to play for the Diamondbacks if they make the postseason.
Sanchez is likely in Arizona to replace another former Blue Jay. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. posted a career-low two home runs, 22 RBI, and a .210 batting average through 51 games with Arizona before being designated for assignment on Sunday. He was in the final year of a three-year, $42M contract.
