In the 9th inning of the Diamondbacks’ battle against the Padres on Friday, in front of the largest crowd in Petco Park history, Ketel Marte was pinch-hit for with two outs and a one-run deficit. With fans ready to get their pitchforks out for Torey Lovullo, as it was not known at the time that Marte was injured, Randal Grichuk stepped up with a pinch-hit, two-run home run to give the Diamondbacks an 8-7 lead.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!RANDAL GRICHUK CAPS OFF THE 6-RUN NINTH WITH A PINCH-HIT GO-AHEAD HOMER
(via @MLB)pic.twitter.com/3tePnxgluy
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) July 6, 2024
Unfortunately for Arizona, this pinch-hit miracle ended up going to waste, as Paul Sewald blew his second consecutive save by allowing a pair of home runs in the bottom of the ninth, including a Manny Machado walk-off blast to send San Diego into a frenzy.
After the game, it was announced that Marte was pinch-hit for in the 9th inning due to back tightness. He was ruled day-to-day. In game 2 of the Diamondbacks’ weekend series against the Padres, Marte was left out of the lineup. According to Nick Piecoro at AZCentral, Torey Lovullo is hopeful that Marte can come off the bench for an at-bat later in the game if needed.
Instead, it will be Kevin Newman starting at second base for the Diamondbacks. It will be Newman’s 7th time playing second base for the Diamondbacks this season, including in the 9th inning of Friday’s loss.
The Diamondbacks will also be giving Gabriel Moreno a rest day. Jose Herrera will be calling things behind the plate.
The first pitch is scheduled for 6:40 PM with Brandon Pfaadt taking the mound for Arizona.
Game 89.
⌚️ 6:40pm
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???? San Diego pic.twitter.com/s9yUDnjneC— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) July 6, 2024
