The Arizona Diamondbacks ended their six-game road trip on a high note with a much-needed victory, thanks to a standout performance from Pavin Smith.
Smith blasted a career-high three home runs, including a three-run shot, a grand slam, and a solo homer, racking up eight RBIs to lead Arizona to a 12-6 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday night at Minute Maid Park. The victory snapped the D-backs’ three-game losing streak.
Arizona, which has scored 10 or more runs for a league-leading 18th time, remains 6 1/2 games behind the Dodgers in the NL West and is half a game behind the Padres for the first NL Wild Card spot. They hold a 1 1/2-game lead over the Braves and Mets for the second Wild Card position.
“After losing the last two games, it was important for us to finish the trip with a win,” said Eugenio Suárez. “Getting this W is big for our division and Wild Card race. We’re still in it, and our goal is to push for the playoffs.”
This was Smith’s first multi-home run game. He became the second Diamondbacks player to hit three homers in a single game this season, joining Suárez, who achieved the feat in July against Washington.
“It was one of those nights where everything just clicked,” Smith said. “Once I connected on the first one, I felt confident the rest of the way.”
The only player in D-backs history to hit four home runs in a game is J.D. Martinez, who did it against the Dodgers in 2017. Smith admitted he was aiming for a fourth homer but ended up striking out and walking in his last two at-bats.
“It’s rare to get a shot at four homers, so I went for it,” Smith said.
Smith’s seven RBIs in the first three innings set a Diamondbacks record, and he became the third player in franchise history to collect at least eight RBIs in a game. Erubiel Durazo holds the team record with nine RBIs against the Phillies in 2002, while Chris Iannetta had eight against the Marlins in 2017.
“Pavin had a tremendous day,” said Arizona manager Torey Lovullo. “He’s got great command of the strike zone and knows his swing well. We’re not surprised he hit the ball so well today.”
The Diamondbacks jumped on Astros ace Justin Verlander early, scoring eight runs across the second and third innings. Smith hit a three-run homer in the second inning and followed up with an opposite-field grand slam in the third. Suárez chipped in with an RBI single before Smith’s grand slam.
In the fifth inning, Smith added a solo homer off reliever Kaleb Ort, hitting the ball just inside the right-field foul pole.
Suárez capped off the night with a solo homer in the ninth, matching his career highs with four hits and four runs.
“We came in ready to compete today,” Suárez said. “After the losses, we shifted our mindset. Verlander is one of the best in the game, but we had a good plan and saw the ball well.”
Despite the offensive surge, Arizona starter Ryne Nelson struggled, allowing five runs in 4 2/3 innings. The D-backs’ bullpen stepped up, holding the Astros to just one run over the remaining 4 1/3 innings.
With 18 games left in the season, Arizona remains firmly in the playoff hunt.
“We’ve played a lot of must-win games recently, and that prepares us for what’s ahead,” Lovullo said. “This win was important, but we’re focused on ourselves and what we need to do. If we play our game, we’ll be in a good spot.”
