Diamondbacks sweep Yankees with Pavin Smith walk-off and Nolan Arenado grand slam

Arenado fuels Sunday comeback

Nolan Arenado hit a fifth-inning grand slam off New York Yankees reliever Brent Headrick on Sunday, propelling the Arizona Diamondbacks to an 8-4 victory at Chase Field. The blast was Arenado's ninth career grand slam and his third of the season, tying Houston's Yordan Alvarez for the MLB lead. Arizona loaded the bases against Yankees starter Will Warren before Headrick entered, struck out Geraldo Perdomo, and walked Corbin Carroll to force in a run. Arenado then drove a 2-1 pitch over the wall to turn a deficit into a lead. Perdomo contributed an RBI single in the first inning and an RBI triple in the seventh. Arizona's bullpen held New York to three hits over the final 6 1/3 innings, with Justin Martinez earning the win. New York hit three third-inning solo home runs off Arizona starter Corbin Burnes from Heliot Ramos, George Lombard Jr., and Spencer Jones.

Smith delivers Saturday walk-off on anniversary

The Sunday victory followed a 5-3 walk-off win on Saturday night in front of 47,918 fans, the largest home crowd of the season in Phoenix. Arizona held a ceremony celebrating the 25th anniversary of their 2001 World Series title against the Yankees before pinch-hitter Pavin Smith ended the contest in the ninth inning. Ildemaro Vargas opened the bottom of the ninth by drawing a walk against reliever Michael Fulmer, overturning an initial strike three call via an ABS challenge. After Jordan Lawlar struck out, Smith drove a 391-foot two-run home run into the right-field seats.

Torey Lovullo reflected on Smith's perseverance after the designated hitter returned from spring elbow surgery and a July minor-league assignment:

“I'm never looking to be proven right. I'm just trying to put players in the best position to be successful and when they have success I share it with them. But I do believe Pavin can hit.”

Smith also described his return after struggling through early-season injuries:

“It felt really good. There were lots of times this year when I didn't feel like I could ever hit again. I think that happens to a lot of people. Just didn't have any timing coming back from the surgery.”

Playoff implications for Arizona and New York

The Sunday win pushed Arizona's total to an MLB-leading 47 comeback victories this season. Arizona completed its home schedule with a 45-36 record, the franchise's best home mark since 2017. The Diamondbacks remain four games behind the Philadelphia Phillies for the final National League wild-card spot with six games remaining on their schedule. Meanwhile, New York suffered its 11th walk-off loss of the season on Saturday and dropped to 89-65. The consecutive defeats left the Yankees trailing the AL East division leader Tampa Bay by five games with six games left to play.

Tampa Bay Rays95.9%

New York Yankees4.1%

Tampa Bay Rays

95.9 %

New York Yankees

4.1 %

Data from the article text

Cody Bellinger assessed New York's chances of overcoming Tampa Bay for the American League East title:

“Mathematically, probably pretty tough.”

Pitching records and upcoming matchups

Saturday's contest featured a strong outing from Yankees starter Cam Schlittler, who allowed three runs (one earned) over six innings while striking out six batters. Schlittler lowered his earned run average to 1.94 and recorded his 24th start of the season with one or zero earned runs allowed, placing him one start behind Sandy Koufax's 1963 live-ball era record. Both teams have a scheduled rest day on Monday before concluding the regular season. New York opens a four-game home series against Tampa Bay on Tuesday with a doubleheader featuring Carlos Rodon and Max Fried against Nick Martinez and Drew Rasmussen. Arizona travels to face Colorado in a series opener started by Michael Soroka against Kyle Freeland.