Diamondbacks Comeback from 7 Runs in the 9th vs Braves: Epic Victory!

Diamondbacks Achieve Epic Comeback Against the Braves

In an unexpected turn of events that will be etched in the memory of fans, the Arizona Diamondbacks staged an astonishing comeback in the ninth inning, surpassing the Atlanta Braves with a score of 11-10. Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo expressed his pride in his team’s performance, comparing the feat to a father’s joy.

“I felt like a proud father, watching a group of little leaguers go out and have fun, and get the job done,” Lovullo commented.

Torey Lovullo

Third baseman Eugenio Suárez was key in the comeback, hitting a two-run double that put the score at 11-10 in favor of Arizona. This memorable moment occurred against the Braves’ closer, Raisel Iglesias.

According to data, the Diamondbacks had an unfavorable record in similar situations, with 0-334 losses when entering the eighth inning trailing by six or more runs, and 0-418 in the ninth inning. Suárez highlighted the importance of playing every out with intensity, without giving up.

On the other hand, the Braves had a streak of 766 consecutive victories leading by six or more runs in the ninth inning. The last time they failed to hold that lead was in 1973.

At the MLB level, teams had a record of 0-1,461 losses when entering the ninth inning trailing by six or more runs since the Cleveland Guardians pulled off a comeback in May 2022.

Before Suárez hit the double, the Braves had a 99.9% chance of winning the game.

The Diamondbacks managed to sweep the three-game series and earned their fourth consecutive victory.

The ninth inning began with Suárez striking out. However, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. hit a home run, followed by Tim Tawa, who received a walk, and Alek Thomas, who also hit a home run, bringing the Diamondbacks closer on the scoreboard (10-7).

After Blewett walked the next batter, Braves manager Brian Snitker brought in Iglesias (3-5), who allowed hits to four of the next five batters, blowing a save opportunity for the fourth time this season.

Suarez felt that another opportunity would present itself.

“That’s when I said, ‘OK, we might have a chance here,'” he said. “Because we have Corbin Carroll, we have Ketel Marte and Geraldo Perdomo behind him. And I know they’ve had very good at-bats… And I was right.”

Eugenio Suárez

Carroll connected on a double against Iglesias, who has allowed runs in eight of his last 11 appearances, and Marte followed with a run-scoring single. Perdomo was put out, but Ildemaro Vargas extended the game with a run-scoring single that cut the lead to 10-9, setting the stage for Suárez. Lovullo described the moment as magical for the team.

Shelby Miller pitched the bottom of the ninth to secure his sixth save for Arizona. Kendall Graveman (1-0) pitched the eighth.

Atlanta’s Marcell Ozuna hit into a game-ending double play, met with boos from the crowd at Truist Park.

Ronald Acuña Jr., Austin Riley, and Drake Baldwin hit home runs for the Braves, who have lost four straight games and 11 of 14. Atlanta had only scored five runs in their previous three games but finished with 12 hits, eight of them extra-base hits.

After losing 9 of 10 games at the end of May, the Diamondbacks began June with a record of 27-31. Thursday’s comeback put them back at .500, which is still disappointing for a team with playoff aspirations.

However, Arizona has reasons for optimism.

“It’s really cool, just to see how much work and time we put in, in the cage and on the field, and for that to show up when it matters is really special,” Thomas said. “And it just shows how much we care and how much we want to win.”

Alek Thomas