Del Castillo’s Walk-Off Home Run Lifts D-backs Over Phillies

D-backs rookie catcher Adrian Del Castillo made history with a walk-off solo home run, securing a 3-2 win over the Phillies at Chase Field.Photo byImage: Tysonomo Multimedia

PHOENIX— The Arizona Diamondbacks (64-53) and Philadelphia Phillies (69-47) battled in a nail-biter in the second game of their three-game series on Friday at Chase Field, where pitching was excellent and every base runner was a privilege.

D-backs rookie catcher Adrian Del Castillo belted a dramatic, game-winning walk-off solo home run to beat the Phillies 3-2, becoming the first D-back in history to hit his first career home run as a walk-off.

Arizona starter Ryne Nelson (8-6, 4.51 ERA) dominated the vaunted Philadelphia lineup, utilizing his four-seam fastball and limiting the Phillies to one run on three hits over 7 1/3 innings.

Nelson struck out nine and walked one, throwing 97 pitches.

Game Recap:

In the bottom of the first, Corbin Carroll singled, and Josh Bell followed with a two-out single, putting runners on the corners. Adrian Del Castillo’s RBI single gave the Diamondbacks an early 1-0 lead.

In the bottom of the third, Joc Pederson’s 19th home run of the season, a 393-foot blast to right field, doubled the Diamondbacks' lead to 2-0.

Nelson was cruising until the top of the seventh, when Bryce Harper hit a one-out home run, his 26th of the season, a 373-foot fly ball to left field, cutting the Diamondbacks' lead to 2-1.

Clinging to a one-run lead, A.J. Puk replaced Nelson. Johan Rojas ripped Puk for a two-out RBI double, tying the score at 2. With Rojas at third, Puk struck out Kyle Schwarber to end the inning.

Justin Martinez (5-2, 1.93 ERA) replaced Puk for the ninth. Trea Turner flied out, Harper struck out, Alec Bohm singled, and Brandon Marsh grounded out, setting the stage for Del Castillo’s bottom-of-the-ninth heroics.

Martinez worked 1.0 inning, allowing one hit with no runs, no walks, and one strikeout over 13 pitches for his fifth win.

Next Starter: RHP Zac Gallen (9-5, 3.75 ERA)

Since the All-Star break, Gallen is 3-0 with a 3.38 ERA (9 ER in 24.0 IP), holding opponents to a .239 average (22-for-92) with 12 walks and 20 strikeouts over 4 starts (2 quality starts).

The D-backs have won his last 4 starts and 6 of his last 8 since June 29.