{"id":4919,"date":"2023-05-03T19:23:45","date_gmt":"2023-05-04T02:23:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/?p=4919"},"modified":"2023-05-03T19:31:00","modified_gmt":"2023-05-04T02:31:00","slug":"diamondbacks-rangers-20230503-02","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/2023\/05\/03\/diamondbacks-rangers-20230503-02\/","title":{"rendered":"Diamondbacks Outlast Rangers in Seesaw Slugfest as Pfaadt Makes His Debut"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>Diamondbacks 12, Rangers 7<\/h2>\n<p>ARLINGTON, Tex. (May 3) \u2014 <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/w\/walkech02.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-05-03_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Christian Walker<\/a><\/strong> went 2-for-4 with two homers, five RBI, a walk, and three runs scored, and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/g\/gurrilo01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-05-03_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Lourdes Gurriel Jr.<\/a><\/strong> went 2-for-3 with a homer, an RBI, two walks, and three runs scored to lead the <a href=\"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/2023\/03\/30\/2023-arizona-diamondbacks-season-preview\/\">Arizona Diamondbacks<\/a> to a 12\u20137 victory over the <a href=\"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/2023\/03\/30\/2023-texas-rangers-season-preview\/\">Texas Rangers<\/a> Wednesday afternoon. The two teams combined for eight home runs in this game, a record for Globe Life Field.<\/p>\n<p>The victory came in the major league debut of highly touted Diamondbacks pitching prospect <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/register\/player.fcgi?id=pfaadt001bra&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-05-03_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Brandon Pfaadt<\/a><\/strong>, who had around 30 friends and relatives rooting for him. For the Louisville, Kentucky native, it meant the world to see so many show up on his big day. \u201cIt meant a ton,\u201d a grateful and smiling Pfaadt said, his voice breaking slightly. \u201cA lot of people along the way, to this moment \u2014 it\u2019s awesome to have 30 people show up in Texas. That\u2019s not a drive away. It\u2019s a fly away, so it means a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Pfaadt was the latest young Diamondback to make his debut and have a legion of supporters show up. Diamondbacks manager <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/l\/lovulto01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-05-03_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Torey Lovullo<\/a><\/strong> beamed as he spoke of the turnout in support of his young players. \u201cI\u2019m honored to be their manager,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd I&#8217;m a big fan of what families bring to their children, supporting them along the way. I know every parent out there has gone through it \u2014 diapers to Little League games, the uniform changes, and you see your son on a major league field. It&#8217;s pretty good. I was trying to lock in on them, I know they were in Section 106. Could hear them, I couldn&#8217;t always see them. But I know they were there supporting him. It\u2019s pretty special.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3>Rangers Take Early Lead, Diamondbacks Bounce Back Quickly<\/h3>\n<p><a id=\"MYny0H6vQd9jKi7sIFG0Yg\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1487353350\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'MYny0H6vQd9jKi7sIFG0Yg',sig:'VAXG7A4VPoRS9Te19tV5GhSlSnFC8f4-sc6e4atpbsI=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1487353350',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Pfaadt and Rangers starter <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/h\/heanean01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-05-03_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Andrew Heaney<\/a><\/strong> each pitched a scoreless first. Heaney repeated the feat in the top of the second. With one out in the bottom of the second, the Rangers broke through as designated hitter <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/h\/heimjo01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-05-03_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Jonah Heim<\/a><\/strong> belted a solo homer to the stands in right-center. Two batters later, and with two outs, center fielder <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/t\/taverle01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-05-03_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Leody Taveras<\/a><\/strong> hit a low liner to second. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/marteke01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-05-03_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Ketel Marte<\/a><\/strong> knocked it down but could not get the throw to first in time for the out. As catcher <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/l\/leonsa01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-05-03_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Sandy Leon<\/a><\/strong> batted, Taveras tried to steal second, but a strong throw by <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=herrejo04,herrejo02,herrejo01,herrer020jos,herrer010jos&amp;search=Jose+Herrera&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-05-03_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Jose Herrera<\/a><\/strong> nabbed him for the inning-ending out.<\/p>\n<p>The Diamondbacks responded in the top of the third after a leadoff walk by Herrera and a two-out walk by left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Up came first baseman Christian Walker. On 3\u20132, he smashed a rocket to left field \u2014 a 112.4 mph laser that cleared the fence by a foot. Third baseman <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/l\/longoev01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-05-03_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Evan Longoria<\/a><\/strong> followed with a grounder to third, retiring the side with the Diamondbacks holding a 3\u20131 lead.<\/p>\n<h3>Diamondbacks Extend Lead, Rangers Seize Control with Big Inning<\/h3>\n<p>With one out in the bottom of the fourth, third baseman <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/j\/jungjo01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-05-03_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Josh Jung<\/a><\/strong> \u2014 whom Pfaadt struck out for his first major league strikeout in the second \u2014 avenged the whiff with a towering homer to the second deck in left. But the Diamondbacks responded immediately, as Herrera led off the fifth with a walk. Marte followed with a screaming liner to right-center that squeaked over the fence for a two-run dinger and a 5\u20132 lead. After consecutive groundouts to third by designated hitter <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/r\/riverem01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-05-03_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Emmanuel Rivera<\/a><\/strong> and Gurriel, Walker dumped a fastball over the fence in center, inches above the glove of a leaping Taveras. This made the score 6\u20132 and chased Heaney out of the game in favor of <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/sborzjo01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-05-03_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Josh Sborz<\/a><\/strong>, who retired Longoria for the third out on a liner to right.<\/p>\n<p>Taveras got the run back immediately, leading off the bottom of the fifth with a line-drive homer over the Rangers bullpen in right-center. Leon followed with a double to center but held at second when Semien, up next, grounded to third for the first out. Jankowski dumped a flare near the line in shallow left, scoring Leon on a hustle double. Lowe followed with a sharp grounder to second. Marte tried to field it but couldn\u2019t handle the tough hop, giving Lowe a single as Jankowski advanced to third. Garcia ripped a deep fly to center that Thomas caught on the track, allowing Jankowski to score from third. Jung followed with his second homer of the game, giving the Rangers a 7\u20136 lead as Pfaadt\u2019s day ended.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=ruizjo01,ruiz--018jos&amp;search=Jose+Ruiz&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-05-03_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Jose Ruiz<\/a><\/strong> took over, and Heim welcomed him with a deep liner headed for the left-field corner. Gurriel ran it down for a fine catch, bumping into the wall after making the snag for the third out.<\/p>\n<h3>A Crooked Number in the Top of the Seventh Puts Diamondbacks Back on Top<\/h3>\n<p>The Diamondbacks regained the lead in the top of the seventh. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/c\/carroco02.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-05-03_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Corbin Carroll<\/a><\/strong>, pinch-hitting for Herrera, lined a single to shallow center and advanced to second when Marte, up next, walked. Rivera grounded a single through the hole and into left, tying the game as Carroll crossed the plate. Out came Rangers manager <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/b\/bochybr01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-05-03_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Bruce Bochy<\/a><\/strong> with the hook for Sborz. In came reliever <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/l\/leclejo01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-05-03_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Jose Leclerc<\/a><\/strong>. He walked Gurriel to load the bases for Walker. He walked on four pitches, with the last three high and tight, giving the Diamondbacks an 8\u20137 lead as Marte scored.<\/p>\n<p>Lovullo said the patience shown by Walker means he is an experienced hitter. \u201cI think young Christian Walker probably goes up there in swing mode. But mature, experienced Christian Walker says, \u2018You gotta throw me a strike three times.\u2019 Leclerc has really good stuff. And the scouting report tells us that when it\u2019s missing, it&#8217;ll be consistent, so make him throw strikes. He did a good job of that.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cProud of myself there for some discipline,\u201d Walker chuckled. \u201cIt\u2019s easy to want to launch something, or try to at least.\u201d While Leclerc struggled to throw strikes Wednesday, he still \u201chas good stuff,\u201d in Walker\u2019s words. \u201cYou have to respect it,\u201d he added. \u201cIt&#8217;s one of those things. (Gurriel\u2019s) at-bat before me \u2014 four straight balls. It was following the trend \u2014 try to pass the baton, all the team cliches right there to just keep it moving.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The final three pitches being near his chin certainly made it less difficult for Walker to avoid swinging. He chuckled before saying, \u201cIn my head, I was gonna take until I got a strike. That makes it easy. Three, alright, head to first base.\u201d<\/p>\n<h4>Diamondbacks Bat Around<\/h4>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/r\/rojasjo01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-05-03_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Josh Rojas<\/a><\/strong> \u2014 pinch-hitting for Longoria \u2014 continued the scoring in the seventh by lifting a sacrifice fly to right, plating Rivera for a 9\u20137 lead. A single to left by Fletcher brought Gurriel home for a 10\u20137 lead.<\/p>\n<p>Former Diamondback <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=kenneia01,kenned002ian&amp;search=Ian+Kennedy&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-05-03_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Ian Kennedy<\/a><\/strong> took over for Leclerc with a mess on his hands \u2014 runners on first and second, one out, and four runs already in. He first faced <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/p\/perdoge01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-05-03_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Geraldo Perdomo<\/a><\/strong>, pinch-hitting for Ahmed. Perdomo fouled off four straight pitches with a 2\u20132 count before ripping a liner into the right-field corner for a double, bringing Walker around with the 11th Diamondback run. With a drawn-in infield, Thomas hit a grounder to first. Lowe threw home in time to hose a sliding Fletcher for the second out. Up came Carroll for the second time in the inning. After Thomas stole second without a play, Carroll fanned, retiring the side with the Diamondbacks leading, 11\u20137.<\/p>\n<h3>Finishing It Off<\/h3>\n<p><a id=\"GbnxMNW_TBJbeo3dEotAew\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1487372981\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'GbnxMNW_TBJbeo3dEotAew',sig:'VLXCvEuSsQU92asr-wHmNR8Q9pizn_j6g6dDjXkB2KE=',w:'443px',h:'594px',items:'1487372981',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Mantiply shut the Rangers down in the bottom of the seventh, retiring the side in order. Marte led off the eighth against Kennedy by striking out looking, the 14th pitch of the at-bat. After a fly to right by Rivera, Gurriel lifted a deep drive to right-center. It snuck over the fence for the eighth homer of the game, making the score 12\u20137. Walker ended the half-inning with a foul fly to the first baseman.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=castrmi01,castro002mig&amp;search=Miguel+Castro&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-05-03_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Miguel Castro<\/a><\/strong> took over in the eighth, pitching around a one-out infield single by shortstop <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/d\/duranez01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-05-03_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Ezequiel Duran<\/a><\/strong> and walk by Taveras in a scoreless frame. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/r\/rodriye01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-05-03_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Yerry Rodriguez<\/a><\/strong> pitched a scoreless top of the ninth, stranding Perdomo at first after a two-out single. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/c\/chafian01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-05-03_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Andrew Chafin<\/a><\/strong> struck out pinch-hitter <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=thompbu01,thomps001bub&amp;search=Bubba+Thompson&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-05-03_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Bubba Thompson<\/a><\/strong> and Lowe to start the bottom of the ninth. Garcia followed with a grounder to second, appearing to wrap up the game, but Marte couldn\u2019t handle it. The error gave the Rangers second life and brought up Jung, who dumped a single to right. Up came Heim with runners on the corners. Jung took second on defensive indifference, taking away the force as the count ran to 0\u20132. Chafin ultimately fanned Heim, sealing the 12\u20137 victory.<\/p>\n<h3>\u201cWe Compete\u201d<\/h3>\n<p>Manager Torey Lovullo bluntly summed up his team\u2019s perseverance. \u201cWe compete. They go out every inning. The comments for some of the pitching changes I was making, they were getting after it. Talking about staying with the process and the plan. \u2018We\u2019re gonna break through at some point.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI&#8217;m proud of these guys. We lost a tough game yesterday. (Today) we gave up five runs, (the Rangers) took the lead, (but we) won the game by scoring and putting up a big, crooked number. I\u2019m very happy.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Lovullo credited the big seventh as \u201cone thing after another, good approaches.\u201d He praised his team for not giving the pitcher too much credit. \u201cWe were expanding the zone and changing our sight lines a little bit. Counterpunching some quality pitches. We impacted the ball when we needed to, but it was us being patient. Drawing walks. Having baserunners on base and continuing to put pressure on the pitcher. I think we eventually broke him.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3>Left Him Out There Too Long?<\/h3>\n<p><a id=\"MgMy4_CeR69O8H_SE-dwLQ\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1252572529\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'MgMy4_CeR69O8H_SE-dwLQ',sig:'2iOmMs4Um-wRhBI8fFYqMju3UJbQob4ipUQx5GWkPH4=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1252572529',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<p>When asked about Pfaadt\u2019s day, Lovullo immediately admitted, \u201cI left him out there too long. I was trying to get him through five. We were a little short in the bullpen. I can give you every excuse as the reason why I did it \u2014 I shouldn\u2019t have. But aside from the last batter or two, I thought he did a good job. A couple of chip hits in the fifth inning, and then a very hot hitter came up and took advantage of a mistake. All in all, I feel like for his first outing, he did a good job. He slowed the game down enough in the right spots, made pitches when he had to, and almost got the win.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Asked if he was trying to get Pfaadt through five so he could get the win in his major league debut, Lovullo nodded definitively and said, \u201cI think so. But I can\u2019t manage that way. I thought it was a chip hit to left by Jankowski and was a play to Marte&#8217;s left. Felt like if we could have made the play, it would have been a totally different outcome. I thought he deserved the opportunity, based on how he was pitching, to get that win. At the end of it, it&#8217;s a two-run home run, and there goes the lead. You&#8217;re obviously second-guessing yourself. But it worked out well.\u201d<\/p>\n<h4>Pfaadt\u2019s Self-Evaluation<\/h4>\n<p>Pfaadt said he \u201cfelt good with the change-up and the slider, when it was in a good location.\u201d In addition, he said his fastball felt good \u201cwhen it was hitting.\u201d For his next start, he plans on working on \u201ccommand\u201d and trusting his \u201cability to mix,\u201d when to do so, and when to \u201cgo up and go down.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Pfaadt felt that the home runs he allowed were \u201cmore location than selection.\u201d He said, \u201cI got too impatient into the middle of the plate.\u201d Pfaadt did not feel at all like he was out of gas in the fifth since his \u201cadrenaline was still pumping.\u201d<\/p>\n<h4>Sticking with the Plan<\/h4>\n<p>Perdomo, with his 2-for-2 performance off the bench, is now hitting .409 on the season. Lovullo does not plan to get him any more at-bats than he is already scheduled to get. \u201cI\u2019m gonna stick with the plan,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s working. Like I said yesterday, we have two starting shortstops (Perdomo and Ahmed). They both pick up the ball defensively and can impact the ball in the right matchups. Gerry is doing a great job. Of course, naturally there are more right-handed pitchers in the big leagues. So we\u2019ll continue with what we\u2019ve been doing. It\u2019s working, and I don\u2019t want to change it up.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3>Injury Updates<\/h3>\n<p>Lovullo gave updates on some of the injured Diamondbacks. Outfielder\/designated hitter <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=lewisky01,lewis-002kyl,lewis-003kyl&amp;search=Kyle+Lewis&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-05-03_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Kyle Lewis<\/a><\/strong> had four at-bats in extended spring training and felt good, although he hit only and did not run. Right-handed pitcher <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/d\/davieza02.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-05-03_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Zach Davies<\/a><\/strong> threw a 25-pitch bullpen session on Monday and will throw another on Friday. Lovullo said he \u201ccame out just fine.\u201d Catcher <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=kellyca02,kelly-004car&amp;search=Carson+Kelly&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-05-03_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Carson Kelly<\/a><\/strong> \u201ccaught some flies and did some work with the ball in his hand but did not take any swings with a bat.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3>Quick Hits<\/h3>\n<p>The Rangers, after 30 games, have a +69 run differential (191\u2013122). This is a Washington\u2013Texas franchise record for the first 30 games of a season. It is also the second-highest run output ever over the first 30 games, after 195 runs in 1998. \u2026 Jung was the AL Rookie of the Month for April. His homers Wednesday were the seventh and eighth of the season for him, first in the AL and in the majors for rookies. Seven of his last eight hits have gone for extra bases, with five homers and two doubles. \u2026 The 12 runs scored by the Diamondbacks match their season high, April 8 vs the Los Angeles Dodgers. \u2026 With the win Wednesday, the Diamondbacks snapped a two-game skid. They have won four of their last six and still have not lost more than two in a row in 2023.<\/p>\n<h3>Looking Ahead<\/h3>\n<p>Mantiply (1\u20130) earned the win, while Sborz (0\u20131) took the loss, both in relief. The Diamondbacks (17\u201314, second in NL West, 1 GB) and Rangers (18\u201312, first in AL West, 2 GA) both head west. After an off-day Thursday, the Diamondbacks open a 10-game homestand Friday. They will first face the Washington Nationals (11\u201318, fifth in NL East, 8 1\/2 GB) in a three-game set. Neither team has announced a starting pitcher as of press time. The Rangers, meanwhile, are also off Thursday and will open a 10-game West Coast swing Friday. They will first face the second-place Los Angeles Angels (16\u201314, second in AL West, 2 GB) in a three-game set in Anaheim. Neither team in this pairing has announced a starting pitcher, either.<\/p>\n<h4>More Coverage:<\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/2023\/05\/03\/rangers-diamondbacks-20230503-01\/\"><strong>Rangers Split Series with Diamondbacks<\/strong><\/a>, by Rangers Beat Writer Nate Miller<\/p>\n<h4>Main Photo:<\/h4>\n<p><a id=\"PySradqnQUJKBmCxaG2_0w\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1487374405\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'PySradqnQUJKBmCxaG2_0w',sig:'1i3c_JjDvdoCloDyBpy7uxi6jtG2EG7Dh0N-qlpKPH8=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1487374405',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Diamondbacks 12, Rangers 7 ARLINGTON, Tex. (May 3) \u2014 Christian Walker went 2-for-4 with two homers, five RBI, a walk, and three runs scored, and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. went 2-for-3 with a homer, an RBI, two walks, and three runs scored to lead the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 12\u20137 victory over the Texas Rangers Wednesday [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":4920,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pmpro_default_level":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[39,28],"tags":[516,811,96,1028,748,584,900,140],"class_list":["post-4919","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-diamondbacks","category-rangers","tag-2023-arizona-diamondbacks","tag-2023-mlb-season","tag-andrew-heaney","tag-brandon-pfaadt","tag-christian-walker","tag-geraldo-perdomo","tag-josh-jung","tag-lourdes-gurriel-jr","pmpro-has-access","eq-blocks"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Diamondbacks Outslug Rangers in Seesaw Battle - Sport Relay<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Arizona Diamondbacks outslugged the Texas Rangers, 12\u20137, in Brandon Pfaadt&#039;s major league debut. 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