WASHINGTON — The Diamondbacks stayed hot on Friday night, July 24, beating the Washington Nationals, 3-2, to win for the ninth time in the past 11 games as they continued to force their way up the National League wild-card standings.
The win moves them to 55-49 and came against one of the clubs with whom they are competing for a playoff spot. The Nationals dropped to 52-52.
The Diamondbacks are in sole possession of the third and final wild-card spot and are just 1 1/2 games behind the Philadelphia Phillies for the second wild card.
It is a run that is making the question about the Diamondbacks’ trade-deadline direction less about whether they will buy but what they will try to acquire. The club is currently considering upgrades at both first base/designated
hitter and on the pitching staff but is not sure it will have the ability to add both.
Lefty Eduardo Rodriguez threw six innings of two-run ball, the Diamondbacks played a sound game of situational baseball, and their bullpen worked three perfect innings, including the ninth from closer Paul Sewald, who bounced back from a blown save earlier in the week.
The Diamondbacks put down back-to-back bunts — one for a sacrifice, the other for a run-scoring single — to help generate two runs in the second inning, and they got a go-ahead sacrifice fly from Gabriel Moreno to move in front in the seventh.
The only damage against Rodriguez came in the fourth-inning two-run homer by the Nationals’ Dylan Crews.
Right-hander Juan Morillo worked the seventh and Kevin Ginkel the eighth, handing off to Sewald, who got a strikeout, a fly out and a ground ball to seal the win. The fly ball, off the bat of Luis Garcia Jr., was hit hard, but was also hit high and might have been knocked down by the wind.
Ketel Marte returns; injury updates on Michael Soroka, Corbin Burnes, et al
After being scratched from the lineup a day earlier due to back stiffness, second baseman Ketel Marte was back in the Diamondbacks’ lineup for their series opener against the Washington Nationals on Friday, July 24.
“He feels good,” manager Torey Lovullo said. “I had a couple-minute conversation with him. The lower back is the foundation for everybody, whether you’re walking, running or playing a baseball game. You feel a weakness there or stiff there, it’s going to shut you down.”
In other injury news, Lovullo said a quartet of injured pitchers is progressing.
Right-hander Michael Soroka is scheduled to throw two innings and 35 pitches in a simulated game on Saturday, July 25.
Right-hander Justin Martinez threw a second live batting practice session earlier this week and likely will pitch next week in a game in the bridge league, which is a setting for young minor league players to play complex-level games.
Right-hander Corbin Burnes has thrown out to 90 feet, Lovullo said, adding that his next step is to throw a flat-ground session.
Right-hander Zac Gallen received clearance, following a consultation with orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache, to begin his throwing program. He threw out to 75 feet on Friday, Lovullo said.
Outfielder Jordan Lawlar (hamstring) also is expected to play in bridge league games in the coming days.
Lawlar has resumed all baseball activities and is “almost running at full speed,” Lovullo said, adding that he expects Lawlar to be cautious with his running, at least initially, during rehab games.
Diamondbacks at Nationals, 3:45 p.m., Cox, Ch. 34
Diamondbacks LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (8-3, 2.62) vs. Nationals LHP Carson Palmquist (0-1, 8.74).
At Nationals Park: Rodriguez will try to bounce back from a rare rough outing. Facing the Cardinals last weekend, he gave up five runs in 2 2/3 innings in a game the Diamondbacks came back to win, 8-7, in 10 innings. … It was just the fourth time in 20 starts Rodriguez had allowed four or more runs. … One of those four starts came against the Nationals on June 6. They scored four runs off him in 6 1/3 innings in a 6-1 win over the Diamondbacks. … Palmquist is expected to serve as an opener for RHP Zack Littell. ... Littell has made 20 appearances, 13 starts, working bulk innings in every relief appearance. Most recently, he was hit hard by the Athletics, giving up eight runs in six innings. … He matched up with Rodriguez on June 6, holding the Diamondbacks to one run in five innings with one walk and four strikeouts.
Coming up
Saturday, July 25: At Washington, 1:05 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Mitch Bratt (0-0, 5.06) vs. Nationals LHP Foster Griffin (11-2, 2.68).
Sunday, July 26: At Washington, 10:35 a.m., Diamondbacks LHP Kohl Drake (0-0, 1.80) vs. Nationals RHP Miles Mikolas (3-7, 5.60).
Monday, July 27: At Pittsburgh, 3:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Merrill Kelly (8-8, 5.12) vs. Pirates RHP Bubba Chandler (3-8, 4.47).
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Diamondbacks-Nationals live updates. Small ball generates runs
