Marte knocks in go-ahead run in 7th and Diamondbacks edge Twins 5-4

PHOENIX, AZ – Ketel Marte launched a two-run homer in the opening inning and later drove in the decisive run with an infield single in the seventh, propelling the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 5-4 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday night.

Marte, currently leading the All-Star voting among National League second basemen, crushed his 16th home run of the season off Joe Ryan. He then hustled down the first base line to beat out a slow roller to second base, breaking a 4-4 deadlock.

Arizona surged to a 4-0 lead after two innings, but the Twins clawed back against Brandon Pfaadt. Byron Buxton, who narrowly missed catching Eugenio Suárez’s RBI triple in the second inning, ignited Minnesota’s comeback with a solo home run to left-center in the fifth.

Ryan Jeffers knotted the score with a three-run homer in the seventh, capitalizing on a walk and an infield hit that ended Pfaadt’s outing.

In the bottom of the seventh, Jorge Alcala (1-3) initially retired the first two batters, but a walk to No. 9 hitter Geraldo Perdomo and Corbin Carroll’s single set the stage for Marte’s heroics. Marte chopped a ball just past the pitcher’s mound, sprinting to first base as Perdomo crossed home plate with the go-ahead run.

Kevin Ginkel (6-1) notched the win for Arizona after retiring two batters in the seventh. Paul Sewald closed out the game, yielding a two-out double to Buxton in the ninth before striking out Jeffers to secure his 10th save.

Pfaadt pitched admirably for the Diamondbacks, allowing five hits and two walks over his six innings, along with four earned runs. Ryan pitched six innings for the Twins, surrendering six hits and four runs while striking out five without issuing a walk.

Looking ahead, right-hander Simeon Woods Richardson (2-1, 3.26 ERA) will take the mound for Minnesota on Wednesday against Arizona’s Ryne Nelson (5-5, 4.18 ERA).