PHOENIX (AP) — Christian Walker and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. hit two-run homers, Zach Davies had a quality start and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Baltimore Orioles 4-2 on Friday night.
The Diamondbacks got a much-needed win in their first game back home after a three-game sweep at the Los Angeles Dodgers. Arizona is locked in a tight race for NL wild-card position with six teams vying for three spots.
The Orioles have dropped two straight.
The Diamondbacks jumped ahead 2-1 in the first on a two-run homer by Gurriel, which was his 21st long ball of the year. They extended that advantage to 4-1 in the sixth when Walker lofted a high-arching, no-doubter down the left-field line for his 29th homer.
Baltimore's Ryan O'Hearn had two hits and two RBIs, including a run-scoring double in the eighth that cut the Diamondbacks' lead to 4-2.
Davies (2-5) provided a second straight impressive start since returning from the injured list on Aug. 26. The right-hander gave up one run on four hits over six innings, striking out six and walking one.
Paul Sewald handled the ninth for his 29th save in 34 chances.
Baltimore's Cole Irvin (1-4) gave up four runs on eight hits over 5 2/3 innings. The lefty struck out four and walked one.
HENDERSON'S GEM
Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson made a stellar defensive play to end a scoring threat in the fourth.
The 22-year-old made a nice catch for the second out, ranging into shallow left field to grab a short fly ball from Nick Ahmed. Henderson then wheeled and fired home, making a perfect throw to get Corbin Carroll at the plate, who had tagged from third.
Carroll came into the game with 41 stolen bases and is considered one of the fastest players in the big leagues.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Orioles first baseman Ryan Mountcastle was a late scratch from the starting lineup because of an illness.
MAKING MOVES
The Diamondbacks called up OF Pavin Smith, INF Emmanuel Rivera and RHP Luis Frías from Triple-A Reno. They also optioned INF Buddy Kennedy to Reno.
The Orioles called up OF Colton Cowser and RHP Joey Krehbiel from Triple-A Norfolk.
UP NEXT
The three-game series continues Saturday. The Diamondbacks will start RHP Slade Cecconi (0-0, 2.57 ERA) while the Orioles will counter with RHP Kyle Bradish (9-6, 3.03 ERA).
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB
