Late Outburst Puts Athletics Past Diamondbacks

Lawrence Butler of the Athletics scoring a run against the Diamondbacks

Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images

July 20, 2026

Athletics 5, Diamondbacks 2

PHOENIX (July 20) — A two-run single by pinch-hitter Jeff McNeil led to a three-run seventh, giving the Athletics a 5–2 win over the host Arizona Diamondbacks Monday night at Chase Field.

That was one of fifteen hits for the Athletics, a team that saw five players notch multi-hit games. Rookie Tommy White led the way with a 4-for-5 evening, with an infield single in the seventh extending the inning and bringing up McNeil. “I thought I hit the bag before,” White said. He added, “Feels great (to) get a couple of hits on the board, doing what I can to help the team win.”

Jeffrey Springs had his best start since May, holding the Diamondbacks to two runs on six hits across five innings. Though he ultimately received “no decision,” and though he expressed disappointment in allowing a two-run homer to Ketel Marte, he still felt better about his effort Monday night than he has about others during his recent lull. “Definitely feels a lot better walking away with giving us a chance to win,” Springs said.

Athletics – Diamondbacks Game Summary

The Athletics took a 1–0 lead when rookie Joshua Kuroda-Grauer led off the second with his first major league home run. Jacob Wilson extended their lead to 2–0 with a leadoff homer in the fifth. That lead held until the sixth, when Marte launched his towering two-run homer down the left-field line.

In the seventh, McNeil looped his two-run pinch-single to right-center with the bases loaded, giving the Athletics a two-run lead. White went first-to-third on the play. That mattered during the next batter, as a wild pitch allowed him to score.

The Athletics limited the Diamondbacks to three baserunners after retaking the lead, holding them scoreless the rest of the way en route to the victory.

What Went Right for the Athletics

Starting Pitching

Though the outing did not end the way Springs wanted it to, he pitched well overall. He allowed two runs on six hits, with the home run responsible for his only runs.

“I felt like, results aside, I executed a little bit better of our gameplan coming into this one,” he said. “Anytime we can win a ball game, I’m extremely happy with it. Hopefully this is a step in the right direction and one I can continue to build on.”

Wiped Out Early Baserunners

Part of what made Springs’ outing effective was that the Athletics defense erased some early baserunners. In the first, catcher Shea Langeliers threw Geraldo Perdomo out trying to steal second after a one-out single. Another one-out single, this time by Ildemaro Vargas in the second, did no damage after an inning-ending 5-4-3 double play.

“The defense did an unbelievable job today,” Springs said. “That’s huge to be able to lean on them making plays.”

Late Grit

The Athletics quickly regained the lead after the Diamondbacks tied the game in the sixth. Manager Mark Kotsay said of the three-run seventh, “That’s what we talked about — the fight of the team and seeing these guys grind out at-bats. The last two days, we’ve hit the baseball. We just haven’t gotten the hit. Execution with runners in scoring position…but we found a way to win a baseball game.”

Relief Pitching

After Springs gave up the Marte homer and a bunt single to Perdomo, Luis Medina relieved him and got the Athletics out of the inning. He went on to pitch a scoreless seventh. Jose Suarez and Hogan Harris followed with a scoreless eighth and ninth, respectively. The trio combined to allow only three baserunners — two via hits and one via walk.

Kotsay said the trio did “a phenomenal job tonight,” calling Medina’s effort in the sixth “the biggest inning of the game.” He added, “For him to come in in the sixth, get three outs, go back out in the seventh, and take care of the lead? (That) says a lot about the young man and the innings he pitched tonight.”

What Went Wrong for the Athletics

Runners Left in Scoring Position

The Athletics left runners in scoring position in four separate innings. They left the bases loaded in the third and runners on the corners in the fifth. Additionally, they left runners on first and second in the sixth and a runner on third in the seventh.

Banged Up Duo

Colby Thomas left the game in the middle of the fourth inning, one frame after being hit on the left wrist. He suffered a left wrist contusion. Kotsay said postgame that x-rays were negative.

Kuroda-Grauer left the game in the bottom of the sixth, one inning after hitting a hard foul ball straight off his groin. He suffered a testicular contusion, the Athletics announced. Kotsay said postgame that Kuroda-Grauer is getting an ultrasound to see if there was any damage further than initially diagnosed.

A Career Milestone

Diamondbacks third baseman Nolan Arenado cracked his 2,000th career hit with a fifth-inning double. He is now the sixth active player with at least 2000 career hits. Freddie Freeman (2536) is the active leader, followed by Jose Altuve (2459). The other three are Andrew McCutchen (2280), Paul Goldschmidt (2255), and Manny Machado (2140). Xander Bogaerts (1895) is the closest to adding his name to the list, followed by Bryce Harper (1893).

Looking Ahead

Luis Medina (2–1) earned the win as Kevin Ginkel (3–3) took the loss, both in relief. Harris notched his sixth save after the scoreless ninth.

The Athletics (43–57) and Diamondbacks (51–49) will play again Tuesday night in the second game of their three-game interleague series. Athletics right-hander Jack Perkins (2–5, 6.87 ERA) will face Diamondbacks lefty Kohl Drake, who will make his major-league debut. First pitch will be at 6:40 pm Arizona Time.