Orioles Take Series against Diamondbacks

Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images

September 3, 2023

Orioles 8, Diamondbacks 5

PHOENIX, Sep. 2 — The Baltimore Orioles used a four-run sixth inning, along with timely hitting and aggressive baserunning, to defeat the Arizona Diamondbacks, 8–4, Sunday afternoon at Chase Field. In an important series for both teams as the Orioles won two of three to keep the AL East lead.

Orioles Score Quickly

In the top of the first, after Adley Rutschman led off with a fly to left field against Diamondbacks ace Zac Gallen, Gunnar Henderson and Anthony Santander both singled. Ryan Mountcastle went down on strikes for the second out before Santander stole second. Ryan O’Hearn singled in both Henderson and Santander on a grounder to right. Aaron Hicks ended the frame with a strikeout. Orioles 2, Diamondbacks 0.

Diamondbacks get a Run

Corbin Carroll was out on a fly ball to left followed by Ketel Marte out on strikes. Lourdes Gurriel Jr.then hit a solo home run to left center. For Gurriel, it was number 22 on the year. Evan Longoria singled, but Alek Thomas lined out to right field to end the inning. Orioles 2, Diamondbacks 1.

Orioles add More

In the top of the second, Ramon Urias singled on a ground ball to right that was deflected by Gallen. After an injury visit and some warmup tosses, Gallen stayed in. Adam Frazier singled, then Rutschman walked to load the bases.

Henderson singled on a ground ball, scoring Urias and Frazier while Rutschman advanced to third. Santander struck out swinging and Rutschman was caught stealing home on a tag from Diamondbacks catcher Jose Herrera. Orioles 4, Diamondbacks 1.

Corbin Carroll

Rookie of the Year candidate Corbin Carroll hit a solo home run, number 24 on the year, to right-center field in the bottom of the third. The clout had an exit velocity of 107.5 mph and a distance of 417 ft. Orioles 4, Diamondbacks 2.

Diamondbacks Tie it up

In the bottom of the fifth, Geraldo Perdomo singled on a line drive to right field. Carroll, up next, reached on a fielder’s choice. There was some controversy on the play, and the umpires had to gather to review and discuss. The Orioles challenged a tag on Perdomo along with challenging the force out at first. After discussion and reviews both Perdomo and Carroll were ruled safe.

Marte singled on a ground ball to center field Perdomo scored and Carroll moved to third. After Gurriel Jr. was out on a fly out, Orioles pitcher Jack Flaherty threw a wild pitch and Carroll scored. The Orioles would get out of the inning on the next two hitters. Orioles 4, Diamondbacks 4.

Orioles Charge Back

In the top of the sixth, O’Hearn doubled on a sharp line drive to center field. After Hicks grounded out, Kyle Nelson replaced Gallen. Mullins singled on a ground ball to that was deflected by second baseman Ketel Marte into center field and O’ Hearn scored. Then Urias singled to right field and the Orioles brought in Jordan Westburg to hit for Frazier. Westburg would double to left scoring Mullins.

Ryan Thompson replaced Nelson and gave up a double to Rutschman after it had been deflected by first baseman Pavin Smith. Urias and Westburg scored. Henderson and Santander would ground out to end the inning. Orioles 8, Diamondbacks 4.

Yennier Cano Closes it out

Orioles take the series against Diamondbacks with the win Sunday. In the ninth inning, the Orioles brought in Yennier Cano to close out the game. Christian Walker hit home run number 30 on the season. Cano settled own to get Gabriel Moreno, Perdomo, and Carroll on ground outs to first base to end the game. Orioles 8, Diamondbacks 5.

Diamondbacks Notes

The Diamondbacks .991 fielding percentage is the best in MLB and their 45 errors are also the fewest in MLB. Those 41 errors are the fewest in franchise history through the first 136 games of a season. The current franchise low for errors in a full season (excluding 2020) is 75 in both 2013 and 2018.

Looking Ahead

The Diamondbacks welcome the Colorado Rockies starting on Labor Day Monday for three games. Game time is 1:10PM MST with Merrill Kelly (10-6, 3.31 ERA) goes up against scheduled starter Peter Lambert (3-5, 4.95 ERA). RHP Brandon Pfaadt (1-7, 6.21 ERA) is scheduled for Tuesday and Zach Davies (2-5, 6.45 ERA) for Wednesday’s matinee game.