Diaz, Hampson homers lift Rockies past Diamondbacks 5-2

DENVER (AP) — Elías Díaz hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning after Garrett Hampson hit a game-tying two-run pinch-hit homer in the bottom of the eighth, lifting the Colorado Rockies past the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-2 on Saturday night.

Daulton Varsho homered and Ketel Marte had three hits and an RBI for the Diamondbacks, who lost their seventh in a row to the Rockies at Coors Field.

The Rockies registered their 12th win this season in their final at-bat while extending their overall winning streak to five and home winning streak to nine.

Charlie Blackmon blooped a single off J.B. Wendelken (2-2) to start the ninth. Trevor Story and C.J. Cron struck out before Ryan McMahon hit a high bouncer for an infield single, bringing up Díaz. During a 10-pitch at-bat, Díaz fouled off six pitches before connecting for his dramatic homer, sending the ball into the left field bleachers for his third career game-ending hit and second homer.

“Obviously, with the blooper and the ground ball base hit, it’s tough,” Diamondbacks catcher Carson Kelly said. “So we had (runners) at first and second and Díaz put together a great at-bat. It was just one of those pitches were a little bit up and he put a good swing on it. Sometimes, that’s just the way it goes.” Wendelken faced five batters and threw 33 pitches in the outing that ended in his confrontation with Díaz.

“I wanted to be aggressive and I wanted to end the game,” Díaz said through an interpreter. “I feel good in those situations. As a baseball player, those situations come up often and you want to be a part of that as much as possible. When you get that opportunity and you come through for the team, it just gives you an extra feeling of confidence and excitement.”

Daniel Bard (7-5) pitched a scoreless ninth for...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Diaz-Hampson-homers-lift-Rockies-past-16403446.php